Robert Duncan

Robert (Bob) Lee Duncan age 84 of Hillsdale, MI passed away surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday, December 1, 2021, at Hillsdale Hospital. He was born February 7, 1937, in Adrian, MI to James and Helen (Moran) Duncan. Bob married Marjorie A. (Drawe) Duncan on December 13, 1957.

Bob is survived by his loving wife Marjorie of Hillsdale; daughter, Vicki (Joseph) Morris of Hillsdale, son, Mark Duncan of Toledo, OH; sister, Betty (David) Ham of Goldsboro, NC; sister-In-law, Patricia (Bill) Brod of Reading; grandchildren, Nikól (Jeff) Stephan II, Mark (Beth) Henry, Amber (Adrian) Smith, Jeremi Morris, Brett Duncan, Jessica Porter, Brandon Duncan, and Joshua Duncan; great grandchildren, McKenzie, Jay, Faith, Shaylé, Cora, Zachary, Jaclyn, Bryce, Ethan, Addison, Aurora, Joseph, and a huge extended family in Michigan & Tennessee.

Preceded in death by his parents, James & Helen Duncan; brother, William C. Duncan, and great granddaughter, Ashlé Brady.

Bob started his early years in Deerfield, Michigan Center, and East Detroit schools before the family moved to a small farm in Jerome where he graduated in top ten of his class from North Adams High School in 1954. He received his BA Degree from Hillsdale College and Masters & Specialists Degree from MSU. While attending Hillsdale College, Bob was drafted by Detroit Tigers Farm Team in 1956 and awarded "Promising Rookie of the Year." A shoulder injury ended his career with the Detroit Tigers Team in 1958.

Mr. Duncan was a teacher at Dublin Junior High and North Adams High School and an Asst. Professor at Hillsdale College and was Head Football Coach at Napoleon High School, Asst. Coach for Basketball & Track, Head Baseball Coach and Asst. Football Coach under Muddy Waters at Hillsdale College. Bob received Hillsdale College Charger Award in 1977 - "excelled all (4) sports and earned 15 letters!" Bob received a Hillsdale College Charger Award in 2002 for a 3-year winning streak in football from 1955-1957, which was the longest in the Nation for those times – Players received "Hall of Fame Medals". Bob began his administrative role in 1967-1977 as Principal at Hudson High School, left Education as a Regional Sales Mgr. for the Tri-State Area for Cadence Perfect Schools in Grand Rapids 1977-1980, Principal Pittsford High School 1980-1989, retired as Superintendent of Reading Schools 1989-1998, served a 1-year, Interim Superintendent at Camden Schools in the fall of 1998-1999. Bob enjoyed working with students, educators, and participating in the many organizations and projects within the communities. Bob was inducted into the Hudson Area Schools "Hall of Fame" in 2016 and inducted into North Adams-Jerome Schools "Hall of Fame" in 2017. He and his wife owned and operated Highland Beach Inn at Devils Lake in the 1970's.

Bob enjoyed all sports, whether it was watching or participating. He was an avid golfer and scored four holes-in-one on three different links. He loved to karaoke and dance. He enjoyed camping trips with his family and friends. He and his wife traveled with their 5th Wheel throughout the United States including Alaska and Canada. They traveled Hawaii and several places abroad. They were "snowbirds" wintering near Port Charlotte, FL. He enjoyed interacting with all of his grandkids and great grandkids. He shared many stories of wisdom and words of encouragement for all to be humble and to strive for the best you could be. He was kind, caring and always tried to be fair dealing with people and had a great sense of humor. Two of Bob's favorite quotes were "You wanna dance, you gotta pay the fiddler" and "Always be kind, you never know who will become your bedpan commando".

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Dementia Society of America.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Arrangements are entrusted to the VanHorn-Eagle Funeral Home in Hillsdale.