Not Well Known, But Well Loved

Earlier this week, our 97 year old father passed away. Because there are many details to attend to and I have book proposal due on 29 July 2026, I’m turning over the writing of my blog to my brother, Dr. Alan Duncan.  As you can see, writing runs in the family.

William M. Duncan (1929-2026) passed peacefully in his sleep on Monday, July 13. He was in no distress. Husband, father, grandfather, and leader in his faith community, Bill was loved by everyone in his orbit. To a person, the most immediate memory of Dad was the hugs he gave so freely.

Our dad was an avid gardener and loved the magic of producing abundant food from almost nothing.

He had a special fondness for music, most notably opera. Although not musically-trained, he knew the libretti for operas both well-known and obscure. He bought his children LP records of the classics; and so it's unsurprising that two generations - children and grandchildren - were deeply influenced in the arts.

Few know that his early life was a series of struggles - The Great Depression, the loss of his own father at age 3, an encounter with a near-fatal childhood illness and a stint in an orphanage while his mother acquired the necessary skills to enter the workforce during a time of economic hardship. But he never yielded to bitterness and cynicism, Instead he always carried a quiet confidence that things would always work out;  and he went about his days in the gratitude that comes from knowing that life returns to you what you invest in it.

Some people "keep score" in life by counting cars, houses and bank balances. Bill put his stock in the depth of his friendships and in the care of his family and wider circle.

In the hours since his passing, countless expressions of love and care have poured in from friends, family and some of the most unexpected sources, all of whom were inspired by his wit, his perseverance, and his kindness.

Drs. Alan, Audra, and Missy Duncan, Sean Duncan, Colin and Tori Duncan, Tessa Duncan, and Mei Bouchard.

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