Gerald McKee Collection

Gerald McKee (1930-1996) — University of Idaho, Class of 1952

Former Vandal and native Idahoan, Gerald McKee discovered anthropology/archaeology as an undergraduate. It was a passion that he carried throughout his life. He carefully collected 78 items from all over the globe representing the American southwest, Syria, Babylon, Egypt and more. All legally obtained from museums that were deaccessioning or selling minor pieces, McKee created a small and lovingly curated exhibit in his home.

To learn more about Gerald (Jerry), please read this letter from his sister:

The University of Idaho and the state of Idaho was very much a part of Gerald (Jerry) McKee's heart. He always held them in the highest esteem.

Jerry was born and raised in southern Idaho attending high school in Glenns Ferry and was a 1952 University of Idaho graduate with a degree in journalism. During his four years at the university, he was active with the newspaper and was the editor of the 1952 yearbook the Gem of the Mountains.

Archaeology and anthropology were areas of great interest to Jerry and at one time he considered majoring in one of those fields but ultimately chose journalism. In 1953, he started his career in medical journalism on the "ground floor" with an enterprising Los Angeles group that saw a market for the newly developed cassette tape. Hence, Audio Digest was born. Audio Digest's goal was to attend and tape all divisions of the American Medical Association's Conventions and seminars. These side by side tapes were brought back to Los Angeles, edited and put on cassette tapes.

Doctors throughout the world subscribed to these tapes being able to listen to the pertinent and educational topics on their cassette players while en route to the office or at other quiet times. Jerry remained with Audio Digest until his 1982 retirement. From 1982 until his death in 1996, he was an active freelance medical writer.

Jerry traveled throughout the world with an avid interest in archaeological history. He was especially enamored with Tibetan lore.

Sharyn Byers, Gerald McKee's sister