Arnold Duncan

1926 - 2021

Arnold Duane Duncan
December 29, 1926 - October 20, 2021
Arnold Duane Duncan, beloved husband of Trudy, father of daughter Jodie and sons Scott and Mark, grandfather of granddaughter Jessica, and grandsons Taylor and David, walked gently into the arms of God on October 20, 2021.

Arnold was the second child of Phillip and Sarah Duncan, born in Omaha Nebraska. He graduated Class of 1944 from Omaha Technical High School, as class president. Arnold served in the US Navy Air Corp as an Aviation Radio Man (1945-46). After World War Two, Arnold attended Roosevelt University in Chicago, earning a BA in Marketing.

While living in Chicago, Arnold met the love of his live, Trudy Bender. Arnold and Trudy moved out to California where they married and raised their three children. In 1968, they moved to San Mateo where he has resided until his death. Together they shared their love of the outdoors with their children. Arnold was an avid hiker and backpacker, spending time every year in the Yosemite high country until well into his 80s. He climbed Mount Whitney twice, taking his sons the second time.

Arnold enjoyed his work in marketing and advertising. He started in 1951 at a small 2-man advertising agency, then joined Botsford Advertising. By 1973 he had become a partner at a new agency he founded of Moran, Lanig & Duncan, working there until he retired in 1988.

Arnold always found great joy in the arts and classical music. He and his wife Trudy were patrons of music and the arts, whether in San Francisco or on the Peninsula. He volunteered with SF Symphony Open Rehearsal program and served as its chairman in 1995-96. For 27 years Arnold served as docent and program coordinator for the Upper Peninsula League of SF Symphony Concert for Kids. Arnold served as area coordinator and docent for San Francisco Opera Guilds' Opera a la Carte, a signature program that exposes school children to opera. Arnold found great joy bringing an unforgettable musical experience to so many young ears.

Arnold was active in the community. In the 80's, he participated in the Christmas in April program that rebuilt homes for underserved members of the community. He volunteered at both the de Young and the Legion of Honor museums in San Francisco. Arnold also served as an election inspector at his San Mateo precinct, and he was a lifetime member of the San Mateo Elks Lodge 1112. Arnold remained active with the Congregational Church of San Mateo, rarely missing a Sunday service, even when the pandemic forced the services to be held over Zoom. The moment in-person services resumed, Arnold, mask on, was there in person. When he saw a need, Arnolds reached out with support for others throughout the church community and beyond.

A Memorial Service to celebrate Arnold's life of love and service will be held at 2pm on Saturday, November 20, 2021 at the Congregational Church of San Mateo, 225 Tilton Avenue, San Mateo, CA.