Duncan MacSwain

1935 - 2023

Duncan Elliot MacSwain passed away early in the morning of Saturday, February 18. He died as he lived, recounting his many travel stories. Duncan was born on October 2, 1935, to Elliot MacSwain and Beatrice Duncan MacSwain. He was raised in Berkeley by his father, grandparents Reginald and Carolin MacSwain and Aunt Alexandra (Lass) MacSwain. His interest in science and nature was heavily influenced by his uncle, Cal Entomology Professor, John "Bugs" MacSwain. He attended Claremont Junior High and Piedmont High School where his fondest memories include playing on Coach Meunter's Football team. As #11, he was still connected with teammates from the Piedmont Football team, in addition to other Piedmont and Claremont Junior High alumni. Duncan graduated from U.C. Berkeley in 1957 and remained a proud and frustrated lifelong Cal alumnus. After graduation he became a Captain in the 353rd Psychological Warfare Battalion, Fort Bragg, North Carolina before entering the teaching profession. His goal of becoming a football coach led him to apply for a teaching position at Redwood High School. Selected from a pool of nearly 300 candidates, he began his career there. He retired from Redwood after 32 years, having taught World History, Psychology, Biology, Ethology, Basic Science, On-Location and serving as Dean of Student Services. In 1987 he was named Marin County's Teacher of the year. He was proud of the interest in learning that he generated among students across the academic spectrum and enjoyed lifelong friendships with many Redwood colleagues. He started as an assistant to Redwood Football Coach Bob Troppmann, but his coaching accolades were earned later. As Terra Linda's Girls' Cross Country Coach his team won the Nor Cal Cross Country Championship in 1981 and he was named the Nor Cal Girls Cross Country Coach of the Year. He led his varsity Redwood Girls Basketball teams to win two MCAL Championships and travel to play against teams in China, Australia and Fiji. Upon retirement, his life became 'busier than ever.' He expanded his world travels and led groups of enthusiastic travelers to photograph and explore culture and nature in areas including Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands, the Peruvian Amazon, Machu Pichu, Papua New Guinea, Panama, Palau, Belize and Guatemala. Over years of travel he collected new species of insects in Papua New Guinea, brought basketball nets to villages in Yap, raised money for villages and schools damaged in the 2004 Tsunami in Thailand and studied Hedgehogs above the Arctic Circle in Sweden.He was an ardent and highly skilled photographer, leading effective and fun photography courses. Through photography he chronicled his family and captured rare birds, insects, wildlife and the beauty of multiple cultures. He loved sharing these photos and travel stories with schools, Rotary groups and others.Duncan was a lifelong Forty-Niner, Giants and Warriors fan and could be found in the stands during any sporting event played by his grandchildren.Friends, neighbors and generations of students and athletes were enriched by his wit, positivity, intellectual curiosity and indomitable spirit for life.Duncan is survived by his children and their families: Robyn and Rod Berry and children Beatrix and Kent; Jennifer MacSwain and children Scott and Jake Nies; Alex MacSwain; former spouse and close lifelong friend Lucy MacSwain; brother Travis MacSwain and nephew Rob MacSwain.Donations in Duncan's honor may be made to Angels of the Amazon, The Daraja Education Fund or Marin WildCare. https://angelsoftheamazon.org / https://daraja.org / https://discoverwildcare.org / A celebration of Duncan's life will be held in the Spring.