Jeff Knurek

Jeff Knurek is an American cartoonist, industrial designer, and toymaker. He is the current cartoonist for the syndicated Jumble puzzle, working with David L. Hoyt.[1]

Personal life

Knurek was born in 1966 Wyandotte, Michigan.

In 2007, Knurek became an organ donor when he donated a kidney to a family member. Knurek and his cousin underwent the transplantation surgery at the University of Michigan Health System’s Transplant Center on July 11, 2007. His cousin suffered from Polycystic kidney disease.[2]

He currently lives in Fishers, Indiana, with wife his Kathy and his children Sydney and Cameron.

Professional life

Knurek graduated from the University of Michigan and graduated with a degree in industrial design.[3] In 1989, while working for the I.D.E.A. toy invention studio, his creation Spikeball was marketed by Tomy.[4]

In 2002, Knurek partnered with David L. Hoyt, Tribune Media Services, and Hasbro to develop the Boggle BrainBuster syndicated daily puzzle.[5][6]

Knurek is also the inventor of "What's in Ned's Head?" a popular game that has received several parenting awards. Since its creation in 2003, many schools are using this game as a secondary bonus to their classrooms and as an adjunct to speech therapy.[7]

In 2006, he developed Fundex Games's award winning "Monster Under My Bed!"[8]

He worked with Las Vegas magician Mac King to create and market Mac King's "Magic in a Minute" line of children's promotions, toys, magic tricks, videos, books, and events.[9]

Knurek took over as cartoonist for the Jumble in 2008, becoming the third cartoonist the syndicated feature's history. In 2014, he and Hoyt produced the Just Jumble app.[10] He has been a member of the National Cartoonists Society since 2013.[11]

References

  1. http://tribunecontentagency.com/premium-content/games-puzzles/jumble/jumble-game/
  2. National Kindey Foundation: Jumble Artist Encourages Organ Donors , Retrieved 9 October 2016
  3. http://stamps.umich.edu/news/jeff_knurek_awarded<
  4. http://stamps.umich.edu/news/jeff_knurek_awarded
  5. Tribune Media Services - Boggle BrainBusters , Retrieved 23 May 2012
  6. Tribune Media Services Biography - David L. Hoyt , Retrieved 23 May 2012
  7. Towne Post: More Than Just the World’s Biggest Syndicated Puzzle Guy , Retrieved 9 October 2016
  8. http://stamps.umich.edu/news/jeff_knurek_awarded
  9. http://www.townepost.com/indiana/geist/jeff-knurek-more-than-just-the-worlds-biggest-syndicated-puzzle-guy/
  10. http://stamps.umich.edu/news/jeff_knurek_just_jumble_app
  11. http://www.reuben.org/members/member-directory/


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