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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akugami - Wednesday, July 31, 2013 - link
Without having went through such a tragedy we can't really understand what the Key family is going through. Speaking as a parent, I'm not sure what I would do if I lost one of my children. It would be horrifying.Just last night I was listening to Eric Clapton's Tears in Heaven and I read this on AT today. This song always brings a tear to my eyes, especially if you know the back story behind the song. My condolences goes out to the Key family.
chizow - Wednesday, July 31, 2013 - link
Gary's motherboard articles were always a must-read for me for any new PC platform builds. Sorry for your loss Gary, far too soon.Mondozai - Wednesday, July 31, 2013 - link
She seemed like such a sweet-hearted girl. This is a disastrous tragedy that happened that should not befall to any man or woman to see their precious, kind and smart young girl taken away like this.I generally do not believe in the concept of an afterlife, but in moments like these I feel that if there is a chance for an afterlife, surely it must be because of people like Abigail.
NewBro - Wednesday, July 31, 2013 - link
Just want to share my condolences... This has been a tough year for me as well as quite a number of my friends passed away due to varies reasons... I just hope for us both the bad times will pass by quickly....maximumGPU - Thursday, August 1, 2013 - link
how sad.our thoughts are with you Gary. No matter how painful it feels now, time heals all wounds, even if the scar never disappears.
RIP.
ninethirty - Thursday, August 1, 2013 - link
I've been reading Anandtech for fifteen years, and I remember Gary's articles well. I enjoyed them.This is such tragic news to hear about someone that I've read so much from... my prayers for Gary and the Key family in an unspeakably hard time.
Compddd - Thursday, August 1, 2013 - link
RIP AbbyMyrandex - Friday, August 2, 2013 - link
Sorry for your loss. I recognize the name and have read many of his reviews here. She sounds like a wonderful person and would have made the world a better place for many.Dennis Travis - Saturday, August 3, 2013 - link
That is just awful. So sad. Will pray for the family.Dennis Travis - Saturday, August 3, 2013 - link
I also remember Garys reviews quite well.