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DAVID DUNCANSON Obituary
60, of West Newbury, Massachusetts died peacefully at home on Nov. 10, 2013 with his wife of 32 years, Deb, by his side. Dave leaves behind a rich legacy of countless people whose lives he has touched as an outdoor adventurer, inventor, engineer, athlete, beloved uncle, brother, mentor and friend. Dave was involved in the ADK-AMC Winter Mountaineering School where he taught many aspiring winter hikers winter mountaineering skills. Others knew him as a talented mechanical engineer who helped develop a range of diverse products - from the perfect ice cream scoop to Firefly, a portable phototherapy device that is now saving babies with jaundice in developing countries. Still others remember Dave as a slender man with outsized athletic abilities - for example, he set and still holds the record time for skiing every groomed trail at the Jackson Ski Touring Center in Jackson, NH in a single day?a competition that will now be named the Dave Duncanson Jackson XC Groomed Trail Challenge in his honor. Donations can be made to Design that Matters, 30 Church St, Salem, MA 01970 (online at www.designthatmatters.org/donate). A future memorial service is planned.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for DAVID DUNCANSON
5 Entries
Oakley Thomas
March 14, 2018
Dave brought me into his business LDS and so I only got to know and work with Dave for 9 months. He left a permanent impression my life; I cannot express here how much I learned from him and how much I grew to admire him as a coworker, boss and a friend in such a concentrated period of time. He inspired me to start my own business with his business namesake, O2DS. I think of him often and fondly in everything I design.... and on the slopes even though I never got to ski with Dave. Thank you Dave for being you.
Ross Bartosik
March 15, 2017
Dave was a mentor to in both the mountains and the sea and in life. I learned so much from him during our backpacking trips in the White Mtns climbing Mt Washington as well as Mt Katahden in the Winters as other innumerable ascents. Guiding me over a huge Cornice to the to top of Washington. I was terrified but he guided me. I can still see his frozen beard as he reached out a hand to congratulate me on the ascent. Kayaking out to Vinal Haven confident that his navigation skills we would arrive safely. On the razors edge in the dead of winter I hesitated and thought out loud at one particularly difficult spot "I don't think I can do this" I can still hear his voice now "Oh yes you can". I will always his voice encouraging me when I have self doubt. Dave you are missed. Ross
Bob Treitman
September 9, 2015
Deb,
I just read of David's passing in the latest AMC Outdoors magazine. I'm so sorry.
I have wonderful memories of skiing in Lapland with the two of you after the FInlandia. (Was that really almost 30 years ago?)
I still recall being so impressed with his telemark technique.
Pete Smith
March 6, 2014
Deb I just found out about your loss I am so sorry I was trying to get some Wang alumni together. He touched my life and i am a better person for it. He was my mentor at Wang both mechanical engineers but with a sense of humor. I just pulled out the wedding album and there you are sitting next to the Hortons. I was trying to find him to get together for a Wang alumni lunch and I found out the news. tears.......
Pete Smith
Dave Duncanson presents a manufacturing workshop for Design that Matters and Firefly manufacturer MTTS.
Elizabeth Johansen
January 27, 2014
Design that Matters remembers Dave Duncanson after his passing on November 10, 2013. Dave was our engineering, manufacturing, and design wizard. He was a natural teacher who created the mechanical and manufacturing design for Firefly newborn phototherapy and transformed DtM in the process. DtM partners will distribute at least 1,000 Firefly devices, reaching at least 500,000 newborns in the coming years. Design that Matters thanks Dave for his legacy.
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