A Post About Loss and One of Our Own, Abigail Key
by Anand Lal Shimpi on July 30, 2013 4:20 PM EST- Posted in
- Abigail Key
If you've read any of our motherboard reviews from around 2005 - 2009, chances are you're familiar with the name Gary Key. He was a member of the AT team, heading up motherboard reviews and helping me out with a lot of our CPU/chipset coverage on the site during that time. Gary now works at ASUS, but I still view him as part of the AnandTech family. Last month his 15 year old daughter, Abby, was involved in a fatal car crash in Oklahoma.
I originally wanted to do a post last month when it happened, but I shied away from doing so in order to give the Key family more privacy. I've been speaking with Gary regularly since it happened and believe that the time is now right.
I'd never met Abby. Gary was at my house a few weeks before all of this happened. Abby needed a Mac for some college classes she was taking, so I gave her one of my old MBPs. She loved that notebook. Gary told me that she'd send pictures of it to her friends, along with her latest pair of toe socks - her other recent obsession. She loved pink. That bright pink MeMO Pad HD7 sample? It was destined for Gary, and then Abby.
Gary was always a proud father. And understandably so. He'd always tell me about how well Abby was doing in school and about how they were in trouble since she expressed interest in eventually going to Duke. She was a straight A student, excited about becoming a Junior in high school next year.
He always told me about how kind hearted Abby was. I've learned more about her desire to help and support others more since her passing than I ever knew before. I'm saddened that the world has lost a wonderful person with such potential. I've been getting regular updates from Gary, photos of Abby, notes on things she used to love to do, and every single time the emails bring me to tears.
Gary has been doing incredibly well with all of this. I can't imagine anyone being stronger than he has been over these past few weeks.
Here's where you all come in. If you've ever read anything Gary wrote, if he ever helped you in any way, or if you just want to lend some words of support to an honestly wonderful person and his family - please feel free to do so in the comments below. Gary didn't ask for me to do a post here, but I'm sure he and his family would really appreciate any kind words from his virtual family at AnandTech.
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euskalzabe - Tuesday, July 30, 2013 - link
Oh no, that is such sad news... my condolences for the whole family, I can only imagine what they're going through... Big hugs!Uj13 - Tuesday, July 30, 2013 - link
What ever can go wrong - will go wrong; Murphy's Law (src: Wikipedia). It could be your daughter or mine or in this case it was Gary's daughter. Its a common evil that we must defeat; Make the roads safer. Google Cars are a very important step in that direction. I hope in the near future computers that do not get drunk and can 'think' at near light speeds and talk to each-other with absolute precision can help us be safe.She has left us - it is more sad for the world for what it has lost and for the many lives she'd have touched. My condolences - Ujjwal Singh
ExarKun333 - Tuesday, July 30, 2013 - link
My condolences to Gary and his family...I took a few minutes to reminisce on some older articles that Gary wrote on slot-1 boards, DFI NF2 lan-party, and his Conroe MB roundup. He was a great writer, and I wanted to say I appreciated all his awesome work back in the day. He was writing when I started reading AT regularly (~2002) and was an awesome contributor.
Again, condolences to Gary and his family in such a difficult time. Know that the whole AT community (even though we can get unruly at times..) supports him 100%.
TinkerTanner - Tuesday, July 30, 2013 - link
I am so very sorry for your loss :(I have lost people close to me in the past few years and it has been tough. I can't even imagine what it would be like to lose a daughter. Please stay strong.
Den - Tuesday, July 30, 2013 - link
My most sincere condolences to the Key family. It is always tragic to loose a child and all the more so for one who was a loving and giving person. I need to go wipe my eyes now...callinitgood - Tuesday, July 30, 2013 - link
Gary is an amazing editor and I have always admired his work. I took time to reflect on his past articles as well as life in general. I am so very sad to learn this news. May angels watch over the Key family. my deepest condolences and lots of hugs...matt.bhame - Tuesday, July 30, 2013 - link
Ugh, this gave me chills. I miss Gary Key as a contributor on AT very much: his reviews were consistently-solid and I learned a lot from him as an AT reader over the years. Nothing but respect and love for you Gary - I literally cannot imagine what this has been like for you and your family.Amoro - Tuesday, July 30, 2013 - link
Really sad to hear about this. My condolences to the family.RIP Abigail.
Zap - Tuesday, July 30, 2013 - link
I've exchanged emails with Gary in the past. My condolences.WaitingForNehalem - Tuesday, July 30, 2013 - link
My prayers go out to you and your family. May the Lord be with you in this difficult time.