Duncan McClave Holthausen

1942 - 2021

Duncan McClave Holthausen
May 30, 1942 - December 1, 2021
Apex, North Carolina - Duncan M. Holthausen of Apex, passed away unexpectedly at Wake Medical Center, Raleigh, N.C. on December 1, 2021. He was born May 30, 1942 in Washington, D.C. His family moved to New Jersey shortly after his birth. Duncan graduated from Tenafly High School, Tenafly, N.J. in 1964. He attended Dartmouth College as an undergraduate where he received a B.A. in Economics. After graduation he followed his long-time girlfriend who would later become his wife to New York City, where he attended Columbia University Business School graduating with an M.B.A. in marketing. He finished first in his class, a fact that in typical Duncan fashion, his children only learned about in their 30s when he mentioned it in passing one day.
He began his teaching career at St. Lawrence College (now University) where he taught marketing and accounting. He loved the teaching and the daily interaction with the students. After 3 years he decided to pursue a PhD and he attended Northwestern University and graduated in 1973. His dissertation addressed how to make better Decisions Under Uncertainty. After graduation he continued his teaching at Amos Tuck Business School, a part of Dartmouth College in Hanover, N.H. After a couple years however, he wanted to wanted to leave the business school atmosphere (and perhaps the six month winters of New Hampshire) and headed to North Carolina State University where he stayed until his retirement. He loved working with graduate students, enjoying the mental stimulation and problem-solving that was involved. In the early 1990's the Department of Economics was being divided into several departments. He served as acting head of the Department of Business Administration. Ultimately the departments were formed into a new school, The School of Management, in 1992. At that time he elected to return to the Department of Economics and resume his teaching of Masters and PhD candidates.
Duncan was a family man, a description that is too simple and unrevealing in the way that saying Michael Jordan occasionally shot a basketball, but words are insufficient for the description needed. He loved his children and wife and enjoyed spending as much time as he could with them and they with him. He is survived by his wife of 55 years Virginia E. Holthausen; sons Peter D. Holthausen and Scott M. Holthausen; brothers Richard S. Holthausen and Robert W. Holthausen; daughter-in-law Mei L. Holthausen (Peter), grandchildren Gavin D., and Mason P. Holthausen; sister-in-law Christina G. Holthausen (Robert) and their children Michael G., Matthew T. and Jeffery M. Holthausen.
His love of music resonated throughout his life. He sang in the choir and played handbells at West Raleigh Presbyterian Church (a decision that may have had a little to do with the fact that Virginia was the director for many years), and listened daily to his extensive CD collection that contained classical as well as jazz, blue grass and golden oldies. In retirement he enjoyed traveling, photography, camping in the RV, reading and playing with his grandchildren. He was a caring, gentle soul. His sense of humor, boundless patience, laughter and smiles will be missed by all who knew him.
There will be a memorial service at West Raleigh Presbyterian Church on Saturday January 8, 2022 at 10:30 am. Distancing and masks will be required.