Ronald DUNCAN Sr.

News Death Notice

DUNCAN, Sr., Ronald "Ron" Neely 70, of Springfield, passed peacefully on Thursday, September 26, 2013 with his wife Karen by his side. He died from complications of his long battle with Lewy Body Dementia (a form of Parkinson's). Ron was born in Florida on September 8, 1943, to Glenna Neely and Richard Duncan. Ron was a man of many reputations. A superior athlete during high school, Ron earned letters in football (helping lead his teams to undefeated seasons), basketball and track. Ron held records in shot put and discus. Fifty years after the school was established, he was named the greatest athlete in Glen Rock, New Jersey history. In 1963 he continued his education at Wittenberg University and lettered in football, basketball, and track graduating in 1966. In 2001 he was inducted into the Wittenberg Hall of Honor. After a short stint as a professional football player for the Cleveland Browns and the Philadelphia Eagles, Ron and his family settled in Springfield. Professionally he served the community as a Certified Financial Planner for 40 years. Ron was a committed philanthropist. He was the founder and main funder of the Ron Duncan Scholar-Athlete Scholarship for college bound students in Clark County. His Scholar-Athlete program that began in 1988 with two scholarships for women grew to include both men and women, and awarded a total of more than $300,000 to college bound Clark County seniors over 21years. Ron was a member of the Northeastern Local School Board for 12 years, serving 6 years as president. He was a board member of the Family Service Agency and of the Springfield chapter of the American Heart Association. He was also a charter member of the Springfield Noon Sertoma Club, which selected him as the local Sertoman of the year and District Sertoman of the year in 1997-1998. In 2000 Ron was presented the Distinguished American Award. Ron is survived by his wife of 48 years, Karen, his eldest son Ron Duncan, Jr. (Sabrina) of Arcadia, Indiana; his middle son Daniel Duncan (Jennifer), and his daughter Anna Duncan Ingram (Forest); his 7 grandchildren: Liam Duncan, Riley Duncan, Malcolm Duncan, Karley Duncan, Will Duncan, Garret Ingram, and Jackson Ingram; and his siblings, Richard Duncan (Cari) and Rebecca Gozdowski (James). He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and more good friends than any one person should ever be able to claim. He will be missed every day. A gathering of family and friends will be held on Saturday, October 5, 2013 from 4-7:00 p.m. in the LITTLETON & RUE FUNERAL HOME. A memorial celebration of his life and accomplishments will be held on Sunday, at 3:00 p.m. at Weaver Chapel, Wittenberg University. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Ron Duncan Scholar Athlete Fund in c/o the Springfield Foundation, 333 N. Limestone St., Suite 201, Springfield, OH 45503. You may express condolences at www.littletonandrue.com