HARDU KECK ’62

HARDU KECK, 63, former provost of the Rhode Island School of Design and a highly regarded professor, sculptor and painter, died Aug. 5, 2003. A member of Delta Kappa Epsilon, he received his degree with honors and with distinction in art. After receiving a master’s degree in painting from the Rhode Island School of Design, he joined the faculty and remained there for 39 years, becoming involved in administration–serving as dean of International programs in recognition of his love and understanding of global education–as well as teaching a variety of courses, including painting, sculpture, film comparative mythology, and philosophy of art. He was born in Estonia and was a refuge from Nazi and Russian occupiers during his youth. An internationalist, he was fluent in four languages and served as a consultant and program developer for colleges and universities worldwide, creating many study-abroad opportunities for RISD students. In addition, he served as an accreditation evaluator for schools of art and design. He was known for his public sculpture, including his use of downtown Providence, R.I., as his background. During the 1996 Convergence Festival, an annual outdoor sculpture event in that city, he designed a huge fountain, Fireman’s Fountain, overlooking the Providence River, that was made from merging the sprays of three high-pressure hoses from three separate fire engines. Among those who survive are three daughters.