We are sad to share that Professor Emeritus Kenneth Starck died on January 8, 2023. Ken served as the director of the University of Iowa Journalism School from 1975-1996.

Ken was born September 5, 1934, to Theodore and Emma Starck. Theodore was a blacksmith and Emma kept busy with Ken and his five brothers.

After he graduated from Windsor High School, Windsor Colo. Ken moved to Iowa and earned a B.A. in English from Wartburg College. Throughout his life Ken continued to pursue education earning his M.A. in Journalism from the University of Missouri and a Ph.D. in Mass Communication with minors in Educational Philosophy and International Affairs from Southern Illinois University.

Ken started work as a reporter for the Harold & Review in Decatur, Ill. Following his time at the Harold & Review Ken took on the role of education editor for the Commercial Appeal in Memphis, Tn. During his time at the Commercial Appeal, he would write some of his favorite articles. Ken interviewed Elvis Presley playing touch football with a Memphis high school team and reported on an incident in 1963 where he witnessed a white police officer beat up a young black man. Ken also worked as a free-lance correspondent in Finland and China.

His international interests and desire to travel opened opportunities for him to see the world. From 1966-1967 he taught at the University of Tampere, Finland.  It was there where he would meet his future wife, Raija. He continued his move to academia by teaching at the University of South Carolina in 1971 before coming to the University of Iowa. He taught international communications for three decades and served as the director of the School of Journalism for 17 years, helping the school regain national accreditation. While at the University of Iowa, Ken delighted in challenging students and peers to be critical, thoughtful and fair reporters.

“I’ll never forget Ken Starck. He was a trusted friend, invaluable mentor (co-adviser of my dissertation) and strong advocate for countless students,” said Larry Timbs, Professor Emeritus, Winthrop University.

“Everyone who ever knew him can attest to his integrity, his strong passion for journalism and his unrelenting insistence that it be practiced correctly.”

Larry earned his Ph.D. in mass communications from the University of Iowa School of Journalism while Ken was the director.

During Ken’s time at the University of Iowa School of Journalism and Mass Communication, he and Raija traveled extensively. Often his travel was connected to work opportunities. He lectured in Canada, Denmark, Germany, Great Britain, Hong Kong, Iceland, Japan, Norway, South Korea, and Sweden. Ken and Raija also travelled to Australia, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Italy, Jordan, Morocco, Portugal, Spain and many more destinations.

Ken enjoyed writing about his travels. He kept detailed diaries and published books about his experiences. He was awarded two Fulbright professorships from 1986-1987 at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in Beijing and from 1994-1995 at the University of Bucharest in Romania. No matter where he was in the world, Ken was always enthusiastically educating.

“Ken was much more to me than just a professor, school director, and mentor. He became a trusted friend whose advise over the years I valued immensely. I miss him.” said Peter Gross, Professor Emeritus, Former Director, School of Journalism and Electronic Media, University of Tennessee, Knoxville and adjunct faculty, School of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Iowa.

Following his retirement from the University of Iowa, Ken was the Dean of Zayed University College of Communication and Media Sciences in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, U.A.E., from 2002-2009. Ken is survived by his wife Raija, daughter Christa, two sons from a previous marriage, Timothy, and Thomas, four grandchildren, three brothers, Theodore Starck Jr, Edward, and Robert as well as many nieces and nephews.