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 his wife Kathy and his children Sydney and Cameron.

Professional life

Knurek graduated from the University of Michigan 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 Content Agency, 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. ↑ "Jumble® by David L. Hoyt and Jeff Knurek".
  2. ↑ National Kindey Foundation: Jumble Artist Encourages Organ Donors , Retrieved 9 October 2016
  3. ↑ "News - Jeff Knurek Awarded | Penny W. Stamps School of Art & Design at the University of Michigan". stamps.umich.edu. Archived from the original on 2015-10-31.
  4. ↑ "News - Jeff Knurek Awarded | Penny W. Stamps School of Art & Design at the University of Michigan". stamps.umich.edu. Archived from the original on 2015-10-31.
  5. ↑ "Boggle BrainBusters by David L. Hoyt and Jeff Knurek". Tribune Content Agency. Retrieved 9 October 2018.
  6. ↑ Tribune Content Agency Biography - David L. Hoyt , Retrieved 9 October 2018
  7. ↑ Towne Post: More Than Just the World’s Biggest Syndicated Puzzle Guy , Retrieved 9 October 2016
  8. ↑ "News - Jeff Knurek Awarded | Penny W. Stamps School of Art & Design at the University of Michigan". stamps.umich.edu. Archived from the original on 2015-10-31.
  9. ↑ "Jeff Knurek: More Than Just the World's Biggest Syndicated Puzzle Guy". 4 November 2009.
  10. ↑ "Jeff Knurek: Just Jumble App".
  11. ↑ "National Cartoonists Society". Archived from the original on 2016-04-04. Retrieved 2016-08-13.
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