Duncan C. Thecker

(Asbury Park Press)

DUNCAN C. THECKER
AGE: 95 COLTS NECK
Duncan C. Thecker, 95, of Colts Neck, passed away Wednesday, September 29, at home with his wife by his side. Duncan was born in Rhode Island and raised in Long Branch. He attended the schools in Long Branch and graduated from Long Branch High School. Duncan's father Thomas was an architect and engineer until the depression, and later worked for the New Jersey State Highway Department. He retired in 1942 and passed away in 1945. Duncan's father came to Long Branch about 1900 through referral to Long Branch to build the first gas compression tank in Long Branch. Duncan Thecker worked in Campbell Manufacturing in Freehold, there he manufactured products such as motor-dynamo flashlights and electric change machines. Duncan worked for Bendix Aviation from 1941 -1945 producing motor dynamotors for selsyns in airplanes. In 1946 he began remodeling and building homes and erecting prefabs. Duncan negotiated the purchase of Hause Concrete Co. and started Campbell Concrete Co. In 1958 Duncan was instrumental in forming United Materials Co. by merging four concrete companies. He also absorbed the Mutual and New Shrewsbury Companies. In 1965 Duncan sold his interest in United Materials to partners and started Duncan Thecker Associates (DTA) and also a ready- mix company, and added a building material division. 1967 he started Duncan Thecker Precast (DTP), producing a variety of structural precast products. Also Duncan bought back assets of former United Materials, et al. In 1980 Duncan was supplying ready mix assets to Ralph Clayton and Sons. At the same time, expanded both the Precast business (DTP) and the building materials segment of DTA. The latter soon faced difficult conditions from the opening of "Home Depot" branches in the area, and eventually we made a decision to drop that effort and to concentrate on DTP. This continued until late 1999, when DTP was purchased by others and was renamed Garden State Precast, which is continuing the operation. Duncan re constituted the New Jersey Ready Mixed Concrete Association and was its first President, serving two terms as such. He was elected to the Board of Directors of the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association for four terms and served three terms on its Executive Committee and also served as Treasurer. He is a member of the Monmouth County Industry and Economic Development Committee and formed the committee to study future growth and use of the Monmouth County Airport. He was Vice President and Chairman of the Business and Industry Committee for the Founders of Monmouth Ocean Development Council. He was also a member for many years of the New Jersey Citizens Highway Committee as Director and as President, and participated in the transportation of this group into the present Alliance for Action. Duncan has served on the Monmouth County Planning Board, is a Trustee of the Monmouth County Conservation Foundation and is a member of its acquisition committee. He is a former Chairman (8 years) of the New Jersey Small Business Advisory Committee, a member of the National SBA Advisory Council and participated on the White House SBA conference. He has been on the Monmouth County Republican Committee since 1960 and on its Executive Committee since 1970, serving for several years as chairman of the County republican Finance Committee. He is a Trustee and Past President of the 200 Club of Monmouth County, serves on the Board of Directors of the Shore Division of Commerce Bank of New Jersey, and is Director Emeritus of New Jersey Resources, and has served on this Board since 1978. He is one of the founders of the New Jersey Alliance for Action and was President of its predecessor, the New Jersey Citizens Highway Committee. He was active in the formation of the Route 34 Wall Group- a group of businessmen and property owners on Route 34 assisting in planning growth in that area, and has acted as President of the same since its inception. Duncan's principal hobby was collecting, restoring and driving horse-drawn carriages. Duncan Thecker was a very caring and service oriented person. Duncan was proud to have either served or been a member of the following organization and clubs; New Jersey Citizens Highway Committee Trustee and Past President; National Ready Mix Concrete Association Board of Directors, Executive Committee and Past President; Utility Contractors Association; Building Contractors Association, Associated General Contractors; New Jersey Business & Industry Government Committee; State Chairman SBA Advisory Council; State Representative to the White House Conference on Small Business; Canadian Society of New York; Canadian Club of New York; Manasquan River Golf Club; Monmouth County Republican Executive Committee; Monmouth County Republican Finance Committee; Monmouth County retarded Children Association Executive Committee; Monmouth County Industrial Board; Monmouth Ocean Development Council Board of Directors; Monmouth County Affiliated Republican Club; Member of the Monmouth County Friends of the Parks; Honorary Member New Jersey State PBA; former Board member of the Monmouth Museum; former Board member Monmouth County Historical Association; Patron of the Jersey Shore Partnership; former Trustee Salem College, W. Virginia; West Virginia Surface Mining and Reclamation Association; National Coal Operators Association; former President Monmouth County Horseshow; Society of the Jets; United States Carriage Association; Charleston Athletic Club; former member Board of Directors Bayshore Hospital; Admiral of Cherry River Navy (West Virginia) and the Director of Monmouth Community Action Program until its dissolution. Duncan was also the humble recipient of several awards including; Joshua Huddy Award presented by the Monmouth County Boy Scouts of America; GOLDEN OSPREY AWARD presented by the Wall Area Chamber of Commerce; SILVER GULL AWARD presented by the Monmouth Ocean development Council as well as other awards presented by the Salvation Army, 1910 SOCIETY presented by the Boy Scouts of America, 2010 Boy Scouts Silver Beaver Award and various industry, state and community awards.
Duncan is survived by his wife Patricia Thecker of Colts Neck; a daughter and son-in-law Ada Lynne and Carl Turnquist; a grandson Richard Joline, Jr.; a granddaughter Lorri Kropp; four great grandchildren Jessica Joline, Ryan Betsson, William Kropp and Kathleen Keneally; two step children Mark Dressel and Lori Galuski; seven step grandchildren Kristin Dressel, Britany Palmieri, Daniel Dressel, Matthew Dressel, Randall Galuski, Robert Galuski and Zachary Galuski; and a loving, loyal and caring caregiver Eliso Maisuradze.
Relatives and friends are invited to call on Friday October 1 from 4-8 pm at Orender Family Home for Funerals, 2643 Old Bridge Road, Manasquan. The burial will be private on the morning of Saturday October 2 at Woodbine Cemetery, Oceanport to be followed by a Memorial Service open to the public at 10:30 am at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Monmouth County Council Boy Scouts of America 705 Ginesi Drive Morganville, NJ 07751 or the Salvation Army 605 Asbury Avenue Asbury Park NJ 07712. To send condolences to the family or receive directions to the funeral home please visit www.orenderfamilyhome.com.