David Duncan

David Leue Duncan (Dave) passed away peacefully on January 31, 2024 from complications of diabetes and congestive heart failure. His health declined rapidly after the passing of his wife, Mary Elizebeth Duncan (née Michaud), in October 2023. His friend Judy Frerichs had just finished a visit with him and his son Chris and daughter-in-law Amberlynn were at his side.

Dave was born on April 13, 1938 in Cleveland, Ohio to David R. L. Duncan and Irma W. Duncan. He grew up in Colorado (mostly in Denver, but also 2 years in Trinidad) before moving to Anchorage, Alaska. Dave was a funny and gregarious man and was known by all as having an unforgettable, unique, and distinctly original sense of fashion and clothing choices (who could forget the kelly-green shirt he wore on national television, his Arkansas Razorbacks hat, or his collection of bolo ties). He was quick with a smile and a laugh and he knew hundreds of jokes that he liked to share.

He was a storyteller, played guitar, had a very good singing voice, was a creative skit writer, did many arts & crafts (including photography, pottery, whittling, and leatherwork), had an amazing facility for adapting song lyrics, and was a surprisingly good cartoon artist (especially with anything regarding Snoopy). While his favorite jokes, songs, and stories may be up for debate, he is almost assuredly best known for singing his adaptation of "Gray Squirrel". He was also an avid outdoorsman and adventurer (a skier, hunter, climber, hiker, Eagle Scout, and off-road 4wd enthusiast).

He passed along his love of nature and the outdoors to his sons through camping trips and Boy Scouts where he was a much-admired and well-respected troop leader for many years. Dave met his wife, Mary, on Christmas, 1961 in Anchorage, Alaska. At the time, he was working as a Sanitarian for the State of Alaska and as a ski patrol leader for the Denali National Ski Patrol at Mt. Alyeska. Dave and Mary were married on March 21, 1964 and it is rumored that they may have been somewhat responsible for the largest earthquake in North America a few days later. Their son, David Bruce, was born 9 months later, followed almost exactly 2.5 years later by their 2 nd son, Fritz Shaw, and then again, 2.5 years later, by their 3rd, Chris Michaud.

Dave graduated from South Denver High School and then went on to earn a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry from the University of Denver in 1959 and a Master's degree in Health Physics from Colorado State in Fort Collins in 1966. He received his commission in the United States Public Health Service in 1962. After completing his Master's degree, he worked at the USPHS as a Health Physicist and was soon assigned to the Environmental Protection Agency where he became one of the country's top 6 experts on radiation. He advanced to the equivalent rank of a Navy Captain and might even have made Admiral if he had chosen to go back to Washington DC one more time towards the end of his career. But, his work had already moved him back and forth across the country several times (beginning in Las Vegas, then Fort Collins Colorado, Santa Fe New Mexico, back to Las Vegas, Potomac Maryland, and then to Danville California) so he chose to stay in California while his children finished high school. He retired from active duty and moved to Flagstaff, Arizona in 1988.

In 1989, Dave and Mary became docents at the Museum of Northern Arizona. Dave was able to share his broad knowledge of Southwestern geology, archaeology, and prehistoric fossils with many, many visitors to the museum. Together Dave and Mary also led kids programs on dinosaurs, geography, mammals, insects, prehistoric foods, owl pellets, puppet shows, crafts, and more. They hosted sleepovers with dinosaurs at the museum and adapted many songs to make their presentations memorable. His favorite may have been "Sir Richard Owen", but many people also fondly remember "Therizinosaur" (as it seems eerily similar to some of his earlier works).

When his wife was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2011 he spent many years caring for her at home and then at The Peaks where he visited her every day he could. He also continued with his commitment to community service by volunteering as an usher at The Episcopal Church of the Epiphany.

Dave is survived by his brother Paul R. Duncan, his sisters-in-law Marilyn and Jeanette, his brother-in-law Lee, his 3 sons: David, Fritz, and Chris and their spouses: Elly, Tricia, and Amberlynn (respectively) and his 8 grandchildren: Erin, Ryan, Kyle, Alexia, Lucas, Bryce, Cameron, and Ashlynn.

While Dave Duncan has passed away, he will be remembered for all the lives he touched, the humor he shared, the skits and songs he performed, the stories he told, and the wisdom he passed on.

Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at norvelowensmortuary.com