David J. Duquette

Duquette, David J.
LOUDONVILLE - David J. Duquette of Loudonville passed away at the Teresian House Rehabilitation Center in Albany on Tuesday, February 21, 2023.
David was born on November 4, 1939, in Springfield, Mass. (Indian Orchard) to Joseph Duquette and Jeannette Bernier. He graduated from Springfield Technical High School and was a proud graduate of the United States Coast Guard Academy, class of '61 (Never Outdone). He achieved the rank of lieutenant in the Coast Guard over four years, serving on Ocean Station Vessels in the North Atlantic.
He obtained his Ph.D. in metallurgy and materials science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Mass. He spent two years as a research associate in the Advanced Materials Research and Development Laboratory at Pratt and Whitney Aircraft in Middletown, Conn.
In 1970 David joined the faculty of the Materials Science and Engineering Department at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (R.P.I.) in Troy, where he found a career home for the next 53 years. During his time at the Institute, he served as department chair and was given the honor of a chaired professorship, the John Tod Horton Professor of Engineering. He was particularly proud of having been thesis advisor to more than 50 doctoral students.
He was the author and co-author of more than 250 scientific publications primarily in the areas of environmental degradation of materials and electrochemical processing of semiconductors. He was the recipient of numerous awards and was elected a fellow to three academic societies including an Alexander von Humboldt Award from the German government. He served on many governmental advisory boards including an appointment to the Nuclear Waste Technology Review Board by President George W. Bush.
Along with his academic achievements, David was a gourmet chef who took great pleasure in preparing meals for family and friends. He was a member of the wine group, Les Confrerie des Chevaliers du Tastevin, and a member of the wine committee at the Schuyler Meadows Club and treasured the company of his fellow oenophiles. David served on the North Colonie School Board, the Boards of the Musicians of Ma'alwyck and the Albany Symphony Orchestra, as well as a Trustee of The Fort Orange Club.
David was an avid opera fan. He loved escorting his wife to the Met Opera in New York City where they held season tickets for many years. He was a regular attendee at the Classical Season at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center and Glimmerglass Opera in Cooperstown.
David is survived by his loving wife of 40 years, JoAnn Nazarko; and his sons, David Duquette Jr. of Fairhaven, Mass., and Peter (Marti) Duquette of Louisville, Colo. He was the proud grandfather of J. Culver Duquette of New York City, and the apple of his eye Sophie Duquette of Louisville, Colo. He is survived by his siblings, Beatrice Ellis of Springfield, Mass., Irene Makuch of Florence, Ore., Louise Spedero of East Longmeadow, Mass., Bob Onishi of Osaka, Japan, and Eugene Duquette of Riverton, Utah, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Graveside services will be held in St. Peter and St. Paul Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery, Middletown Road, in Waterford on Thursday, May 4, 2023, at 11 a.m. followed by a celebration of David's life.
In lieu of flowers, a gift may be made in David's memory to the USCG Academy Class of '61, 31 Mohegan Avenue, New London, CT, 06320, or the Teresian House Foundation, 200 Washington Ave. Ext., Albany, NY, 12203.
To leave a message for the family please visit www.McveighFuneralHome.com.