Ken Zerbe (1973-2023)

Ken was a beloved father, husband, co-worker, and friend to nearly 800 people across the world who dreamed together about winning the lottery one day. To most people, the last part of the sentence would sound crazy, but to those of us who had the privilege to know the man that was Ken Zerbe, it all makes sense.

Ken was a true professional in all areas of life. He loved his family and job at Morgan Stanley. He always had a way of making people feel important, even if you only knew him from brief interactions in the hallway. Ken was dedicated to doing things the right way. I never knew Ken to take shortcuts or do anything halfway, whether that be at work or in his personal life.

It's hard to come to terms with why bad things happen to good people. Ken handled his journey with terminal cancer (Cholangiocarcinoma) with more grace and perseverance than imaginable. Ken set an example for all of us in the way he lived his life and carried himself despite all the things that came his way. Ken's unwavering dedication, commitment, loyalty, and friendship will never be forgotten.

I was able to ask Ken a few days before he passed how he would like people to give or support him and his family during this time. He communicated to me that a GoFundMe raising college tuition for his daughter (Caroline) and son (Luke) would be preferred. All proceeds from this campaign will be designated to Ken's wife, Amy, to be used for that purpose.

Whether you knew Ken from his countless years of professional and diligent work at Morgan Stanley or knew him from emails about the lottery pool he ran for 6 years, we can all agree that it was a privilege and blessing to know him.

Few people in this world have impacted and connected as many people together as Ken Zerbe. I am thankful to have known the man who was a great friend, mentor, and teacher. I want to thank all of you on Ken and his family's behalf for your support and generosity.