John Duncan Glab

1917 - 2016

Glab, John Duncan

John Duncan Glab, known as Duncan, died July 8, 2016, at Agrace Hospice in Fitchburg, Wisconsin. Duncan was born in Dubuque, Iowa, on October 31, 1917 to William Nicholas Glab and Adelaide (Duncan) Glab. He attended St Patrick's grade school, Prescott grade school, Dubuque Senior High School and graduated from Culver Military Academy, Culver, Indiana in 1936. He graduated from Iowa State College of Agriculture and Engineering in 1940 with an engineering degree. He started at left guard for the 1938 Iowa State Cyclones. He enlisted in the Army after graduation and chose to be stationed at Schofield Barracks, Honolulu, Hawaii. He was there on December 7, 1941, when the Japanese launched the surprise attack that signaled the beginning of the U.S. involvement in World War II. He spent the remainder of the war in the Pacific, company commander of the 389th Engineering Battalion, constructing airfields on Okinawa and Guam. After the Japanese surrendered, he was sent to Korea before returning home. He married Patricia Ann Murphy on September 23, 1950, at St. Raphael's Cathedral in Dubuque. In 1956, he and Pat adopted four children whose mother had recently died. Pat preceded him in death on February 22, 1980. Duncan was the president of Morrison Brother Company from 1972 until 1996. He retired in 1997 as chairman of the board. On August 31, 1985, he married Julia Tuohy Dolphin in Madison, Wisconsin. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Patricia, sister Jeanne Glab Woodward, brother Thomas Glab, nephews Bill Woodward and Tom Woodward, and grandson Robbie Cushman. He is survived by his wife Julia, daughters Virginia (David) Reinardy, Elizabeth (David) Cushman, Eleanor (John) Freund and son Charlie (Vicki) Glab, stepdaughters Julie (Mike) Toepfer, Beth (Warren) Dynis, Megan (Greg) Galle, stepson Don Dolphin, grandchildren David (Holly) Cushman, Sara Freund, John (Amy) Freund, Adam (Kaela) Reinardy, Tom (Heather) Cushman, Ann (Justin) Doyle, Ann (Gabe) Berendes, Charlie (Hope) Freund, Jim (Bri) Cushman, Joe (Jime) Freund, Tricia (Alex) Baum, Addie (Kevin) O'Connor, Will Cushman, Nick Glab, Mary (Tom) Cavanaugh, Sam Glab, Gus Glab and Zoa Glab, 30 great grandchildren plus two on the way, 8 step grandchildren and 5 step great grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, July 14, at St. Columbkille's Church in Dubuque at 10:00 am, officiated by Father Gabe Anderson. It will be followed by internment at Linwood Cemetery.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Olsen, and the staffs of Sebring Assisted Living, Madison and Agrace Hospice for their loving and devoted care of Duncan.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Salvation Army, Agrace Hospice and St. Columbkille's Parish.

Last Christmas time, Duncan related a dream he had about being in the stable where Jesus was born. He told of being in the hayloft, tossing down hay. When asked if he was one of the shepherds, he looked surprised and said, "No, I was just a guy who came along, saw something that needed to be done, and did it." The story of his life.