Duncan Bartlett

1966 - 2022

Duncan Bartlett passed away in early September at the age of 56. He lived a free-range 1970s childhood in Mill Valley, cruising around on his BMX, playing water polo for Tam High's Boneheads, and channeling John McEnroe on the tennis courts. His family went on summer trips to Donner and Tahoe or "back east" to visit family. Duncan worked hard from an early age, first lifeguarding in Marin and later working as a server in Tiburon and Tre Fratelli in San Francisco. He loved to build things, starting with the contraptions his parents let him build in his bedroom as a teenager, to the treehouse home he built in a San Francisco warehouse, and most recently, the music room (next to his bike room) in his basement. As a long-time renter in Marin and San Francisco (before buying a home in Rodeo), he had a unique view of the storied Bay Area housing market. This was especially true given his employment in the construction industry over the past three decades, where he eventually specialized as a tiler and more recently worked as a site manager. Duncan loved music: listening to it, playing it, or seeing live shows. As a kid it started with Van Halen, then new wave bands, and later the Pogues, Galaxie 500, and recently Courtney Barnett. His energy was tireless, and he could run the Dipsea without training or power through an all-night road trip. His endurance was best seen with destination biking trips such as his ride from Portugal to Russia (he rode through Belgium in a day), as well as across the continental U.S. More recently, he rode to the top of Mauna Loa in Hawaii in a day. For years, Duncan raced with DFL, a Bay Area biking group where he might have dressed like Batman or in-drag or Batman-in-drag. Duncan is predeceased by his mother Faith Bartlett. He leaves behind his father Jack Bartlett, sister Jennifer Watters, brother-in-law Dean Watters and their children, Grace, Jack, and Stella in Mill Valley. He also leaves behind his sister Gretchen Bartlett and brother-in-law, Matt Hussey, and their children, Evelyn and Silas in Vancouver, BC. Duncan was generous, funny, creative, and will be missed. In his memory, there will be a ride up the "railroad grade" in West Blithedale Canyon in Mill Valley on Saturday October 22 at 10 am. Riders will meet outside the Depot at 9:30 am. Afterwards, there will be a gathering on West Peak at the old Air Force installation at noon (a one-mile hike from the Mountain Theatre parking lot). All are welcome to come for the ride or to meet at the top for an informal celebration of Duncan's life.