Brian Duncan

On Monday, October 16, 2017, Brian Duncan died in Portland, Oregon of complications from a severe spinal cord injury suffered in an automobile collision while riding his bicycle the prior year. He is survived by his wife and partner in all things, Hanne, and his cherished 4-year-old daughter, Waverleigh. Brian lived his life to the fullest, making sure that he and those around him (family and friends alike) treated each day as a great new adventure---a spirit that lives on with his daughter. Brian was born on August 3, 1979 at the Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota. He is the son of Dr. David and Doreen Duncan of Boyertown. He is also survived by his brother, Craig, and wife, Meg, of Colorado Springs, Colorado. He was an active member of the Pottstown First Presbyterian Church his entire youth, and a cum laude graduate of the Hill School in 1997. He graduated from Duke University in 2001 with a B.A. in Economics and from the University of Pennsylvania in 2005 with a Master’s Degree in City Planning. He went on to work at the City of Reading and then the Reinvestment Fund of Philadelphia as a Planner. In 2009 he formed his own company, Arvak Energy Solutions, to marry his passion for renewable energy and the outdoors by designing and installing residential solar systems in the Philadelphia area. In 2012, he relocated to Portland, Oregon and continued in the field of solar energy and commercial real estate. He and his wife together completely rehabbed their 1920’s home there, and used Portland as a hub to explore the wonders of the Pacific Northwest, an area that he loved deeply. Brian understood the importance of appreciating the moment and helping to ensure our next generation can do the same. He actively participated in community service and smart city planning wherever he lived. In Portland, he most recently served as president of the Arbor Lodge Neighborhood Association to help guide ecological sustainability in his neighborhood. He had tremendous enthusiasm for activity and all things outdoors, including gardening, hiking, camping, skiing and squash, but most of all he loved the freedom and joys of bicycling. All his life, he loved sharing his passion and knowledge of the outdoors with family and friends, and his greatest joys and fondest memories were sharing these passions with his wife and daughter. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, November 3 at First Presbyterian Church, 750 N Evans Street, Pottstown with Revs. W. Carter Lester and Karen Pidcock-Lester officiating. Though there will be no formal visitation prior to the service, a luncheon to further honor Brian’s memory will be held at the church immediately following the ceremony for friends and family. The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Brian’s memory to Refit Portland (refit.networkforgood.com) or, to honor his love of cycling, by donating to bikesforkidsfoundation.org, a San Diego based organization that has graciously made arrangements to deliver new bikes and helmets to underserved elementary school students in Portland, Oregon in memory of Brian.