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Duane Reno Obituary
9/24/1942-1/5/2014
Walnut Creek
Duane Westlee Reno, 71, of Walnut Creek, CA, passed away peacefully Sunday the 5th of January, 2014, after a long battle with cancer. He was born to Duane Hugh Reno and Leota Marie Reno in Tulsa, OK on September 24th, 1942. He is survived by his wife Cathy, son Jeremy, daughter Bonnie, brother Gary, and sister Beverly.
Duane graduated from the University of Michigan after receiving his bachelor's degree, and then attended Stanford University, receiving his master's. Duane was then employed as an aerospace engineer with Lockheed Martin. During his employment, Duane enrolled and graduated from Hastings College of law with a law degree and Order of the Coif honors. In 1982, Duane became a founding partner with Davis and Reno Attorney's at Law in San Francisco, where he actively practiced law until his passing. During his illustrious and highly successful law career, Duane won landmark Fair Labor Standards Act decisions and helped pioneer the development of labor law for fire fighters and other public employees.
Duane was a loving and active husband and father. Extensively involved in numerous coaching and support roles during his children's athletic pursuits, Duane maintained a strong balance between work, home, and family activities. His love and passion of high performance cars was strong throughout his life, as was his love of computers, which led him to develop ezBates, a software program that is still actively being sold online. His impact was felt by many throughout the community and he will be missed.
A memorial will be held Sunday January 19th, 2014, from 1:00pm to 3:30pm in the Lakeside room at the Heather Farm Community Center 301 N. San Carlos Dr. in Walnut Creek. Flowers may be sent to the Reno family at 905 Labrador Way, Suisun City, CA 94585.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Duane Reno
Karen Berntson
April 3, 2014
I worked for Duane several years ago and am so sorry to hear of his passing. He was one of the smartest, kindest, most decent people I've had the pleasure of meeting during my career. My sincere condolences to his family.
Diane Nelson Spickert
January 21, 2014
I am a Reno family member (grand daughter of Torrey Reno, who was a younger brother of Duane's grandfather Frank A Reno). Though I didn't have the pleasure of meeting Duane, we briefly e-mailed each other in February 2011 when I was working on a Reno family history project. As I have learned, Duane was a brilliant man and he will be missed. My condolences to all.
Victoria Reno Nelson
January 21, 2014
I am a cousin to Duane's father, Duane H. Reno, whose father was Franklin Andrew Reno, my uncle. I am saddened to hear of Duane's death. My blessings are with you and your family. This is a great loss to the family.
Janet Johnson
January 17, 2014
I worked for Duane for many years. He was one of the smartest individuals I've ever met. May he rest in peace.
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Tim O'Brien
January 15, 2014
I am a retired San Francisco firefighter and enjoyed working with him on various labor problems. I last spoke Duane last year and will miss not having him and his knowledge to draw on.
January 14, 2014
He was a very nice person. He helped many people, of which I am one. Thankss Duane. Harry Brophy
January 13, 2014
Although we often sat on different sides of labor issues...Duane was always a gentleman and true professional.
He was a class act and will be missed!
Harold Schapelhouman, Fire Chief
Menlo Park Fire District
January 12, 2014
We have a loving son. God bless you and thank You for all your love and support.
Suzanne Murphy
January 12, 2014
Duane was such a kind, thoughtful man, with a droll sense of humor, and a great union lawyer! I had tremendous respect and fondness for him as an attorney and a person. At least his suffering is over, and it seems he had a terrific live outside of the practice of law!! I will miss him dearly . . .
Biddy
January 11, 2014
Such a decent caring man -
January 11, 2014
I am so sad to hear of Duane's passing. It was an honor to be his dental hygienist for a time at UCSF. His perseverance and grace in living each day will continue to be an inspiration for me. My Warmest Regards, Elena Ortega, RDH
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