Mr. Duncan R. Pike

Mr. Duncan R. Pike, age 86, of Newark, Delaware passed away at his home on Tuesday, January 27, 2026.

Born in Brooklyn, New York, a son of Beulah (Patterson) and Bernard C. Pike. Duncan spent his formative years in Valley Stream on Long Island. As a youth, he enjoyed playing stick ball with his brother, and neighborhood friends. He graduated from Valley Stream Central High School, Class of 1958, where as a lifelong prankster, he was voted "Wittiest Senior". He spent two years at Rutgers University before being drafted into the U. S. Army. After his military time, he returned to Rutgers to complete his Bachelors degree in History.

As a veteran of the U.S. Army, Duncan proudly served as a paratrooper in the Headquarters 82nd Airborne Division Artillery and then later with the Corps of Engineers, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He was awarded the Parachutist Badge. He also wrestled for the Army at Fort Knox, Kentucky.

His first job was a plant manager for General Motors. He excelled at manufacturing efficiency, and this led him to a career using his expertise to turn around failing manufacturing plants. After GM, Duncan worked in several fields prior to 1985, when Duncan decided to get into the restaurant business, purchasing "Your Family Restaurant" in Elkton, Maryland which was his home-away-from-home for many years. In 1997, Duncan retired from the restaurant business, and he remained retired for three short weeks until taking up employment with Longwood Gardens and Winterthur Museum, where he was a much-loved tram tour guide until 2020.

Duncan packed every moment of his life with activity and laughter. A true kid at heart, he took great enjoyment in time spent with his nine grandchildren. In his spare time, Duncan was an avid gardener and backyard birder, as well as water and snow skier. He also enjoyed time spent on local waterways in his 21 foot bowrider boat, christening it the U.S.S. Boat. He schooled many in racquetball at Kirkwood Fitness with his finesse and unorthodox playing style. If you wanted to learn to drive a manual transmission, Duncan was your guy. In his later years, he learned the art of stained glass and made beautiful windows and Christmas ornaments for family. He was also passionate about reading. He loved histories and spy novels and averaged at least a book per week in his adult life. More than anything, Duncan (also known as Dad, Gramps, and Uncle Dunc) was known for his HUMOR. There was never a dull moment with Duncan in the room. He left a trail of laughter and funny stories everywhere he went. His speech was peppered with timely and hysterical interjections of his favorite phrases. One would be hard pressed to name another person who lived life the "Duncan" way, finding such joy in everything he did and often wearing a zany hat from his extensive collection.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Duncan is survived by his loving wife of 35 years, Velda L. (Mathias) Pike whom he met and married in 1991, and they shared an action-packed, travel- and family-filled life together until his passing. He is additionally survived by his two children, Jennifer Pacana (Tony Mellinger) and Jeffrey Pike (Virginia); his three stepchildren Traci McGuire (Joe), Matthew Mathias (Nicole), and Kendrick Repko (Michael); his nine treasured grandchildren, Duncan and Wayne Pike, Casey and Shannon McGuire, Owen and Cameron Mathias, and Eliot, Jules, and Quinn Repko; his brother, Donald Pike (Marianne) ; his nephew, Chris Pike (Lindsey), his three nieces Carrie Pike Warren (Jim), Ginny Pike, and Lisa Sprague (Rob), as well as a host of relatives and friends far and wide.

Arrangements have been entrusted into the care of Williams Funeral Home and Burial Services

Service plans are private with interment at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Bear, Delaware. A celebration of Duncan's life will be held at a later date, updated information on that event will be published at a later time.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to honor Duncan's life and one of his favorite causes, EARTHJUSTICE, at https://earthjustice.org/about/your-donation-at-work

Online condolences and tributes may be offered, expressed, viewed and shared by visiting www.302funerals.com