Dr. David Allen "Dave" Duke

1935 - 2017

Dr. David Allen "Dave" Duke died peacefully Monday, October 9, 2017 in Salt Lake City, UT at the age of 81.

David was born November 26, 1935 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Otto Duke and Beatrice Taylor. He was the youngest of Otto & Bea's six children. Dave attended Bryant Junior High then Salt Lake East High before enrolling at the University of Utah in 1953. Dave married his high school sweetheart, Hanne Jensen, in 1955 in the LDS Salt Lake City Temple. He graduated from the University of Utah with a Bachelor of Science in Geology in 1957, a Master of Science in Geo-Ceramics in 1959, and a PhD in Ceramics in 1962. Upon graduation, he accepted a position at Corning Glass Works as a research scientist, moving his family to Corning, NY. During his career he was awarded 10 patents, including patents for Corelle dinnerware. Dave was recognized as a brilliant researcher and talented manager. Corning sent Dave to the Harvard Business School's Advanced Management Development program in 1968. Upon his return from Harvard, Dave was given the opportunity to grow and run several of Corning's businesses, including science products, Radomes, catalytic converter substrates and telecommunications/optical waveguides. Dave accepted the National Medal of Technology from the President of the United States on behalf of Corning Incorporated. He was presented the Earle B. Barnes Award in Chemical Research Management by the American Chemical Society, was inducted into the National Academy of Engineering and was a member of the University of Utah College of Engineering's Engineering National Advisory Committee. He retired from Corning in 1996 as Vice-Chairman of the Board and Chief Technology Officer.

Dave was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in the LDS Church throughout his life including as a Branch President of the Elmira, NY Branch, Bishop of the Elmira, NY Ward and President of the South Africa, Durban Mission from 1998-2001.

Dave was known for his love of others, making life-long friendships with nearly everyone he met. Dave served tirelessly to help others, to mentor colleagues at work, to counsel families, and to encourage youth to achieve personal & professional success through education, goal setting and life planning.

Dave was active & athletic throughout his life. He developed a love of golf as a youth working as a caddy and grounds keeper at the Salt Lake Country Club. While at Corning, he played on numerous intramural and city league teams including basketball, fast-pitch softball, volleyball, tennis, swimming, horseshoes and bowling. Dave coached many youth sports teams. He loved to fish and golf to the very end, including the opportunity to play at Augusta National.

Dave and Hanne traveled extensively in their retirement years. The traveling they enjoyed the most was visiting their children and grandchildren.

Dave and Hanne are the proud parents of four children: Katherine (Robert) Shumway, Michael, Deborah (Gregg) Winn and John (Cessily) Duke. Dave is survived by his wife of 62 years, Hanne, his four children, his brother James Duke, his 20 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Otto and Beatrice, his siblings, Keith Duke, Melvin Duke, Barbara Haws-Rushton, Beatrice Bullen and his grandson, Blake Shumway.

There will be a public viewing on Friday, October 13, 2017 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the LDS Olympus Stake Center located at 2675 E 4430 S, Salt Lake City, UT. A funeral service is scheduled for Saturday October 14, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at the LDS Park City chapel located at 2300 Monitor Dr., Park City, UT. All are welcome to attend to celebrate Dave's life. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Perpetual Education Fund of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at http://give.lds.org/pef or to the David & Hanne Duke Scholarship Fund at the University of Utah College of Engineering at https://umarket.utah.edu/ugive/level4.php?catid=82. The family would like to thank the staff of The Abbington of Holladay and St. Mark's Hospital for their care and attention during Dave's final days.