Dear Ruth and Family, I can only imagine the sorrow that you are all feeling at this time. I was fortunate to call Duncan my friend, mentor and colleague via the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine at Curtin. I learnt a lot from him academically, professionally and personally. He had many qualities that one would want to emulate. I will miss seeing him peering over his glasses at me with that mischievous smile arguing the merits of qualitative research. He was very loved. The world is a smaller place without him.
My deepest sorrows, Ravani Duggan
Ravani
19th August 2019
Auntie Ruth, Dave and Phillip,
It's difficult to know what to say, even though I've been thinking about it for days, and I always leave things to the last minute.
Growing up the very name "Uncle Duncan" used to amuse my friends - it just sounded funny - and Uncle Duncan really was funny, something I only came to properly realise once I was older. Although on one hand he appeared to not take life too seriously, on the other he was good and interesting to talk with.
I always thought of Uncle Duncan as my Dad's cooler and more laid-back brother (sorry, Daddy!) so I'm sure Australia was the ideal place for him to emigrate to and, although he was so far away, he visited the UK often (usually with Auntie Ruth) and played up to the whole Aussie stereotype with his talk of "tinnies" and "barbies"!
I never knew Uncle Duncan without a beard... and I never will... so I'll have to make do with the student ID card and wedding photo on the gallery page... so many great photos on there which capture his character perfectly.
One of the downsides of being so far away is that we can't be there with you all tomorrow, but will be thinking of you all and will raise a glass.... Cheers, Uncle Duncan.
Love from Jayne, Nige & Violet xxx
Jayne
17th August 2019
My thoughts are with Duncan's family and friends. Duncan was a valued member of the Australian Association of Gerontology, contributing not only in WA but at a national level. His research work on housing and older people was much appreciated by me in the early 2000s, as was his warmth and collegial approach.
Barbara Squires
Sydney
Barbara
15th August 2019