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Scott Mitchel posted a condolence
Thursday, August 25, 2022
I played bridge with Dan in the 80s when I played piano at Green Park. He is a man who could have lived another 90 years and the world would never have run out of usefulness for him. Heartfelt condolences.
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Xiaomin Hou posted a condolence
Saturday, January 29, 2022
As a foreign student, I was lucky to live with Dukes family for one year and a half in the late 1980s. They gave me generous help and treated me as a family member. Apart from boarding, they provided me with advice and explanations about so many things. Coming from China, a very different cultural background, it was their guidance and care that made me feel at home in my first years in this continent. With their help, I was able to adapt quickly to the new environment and successfully completed my postgraduate education. I have been very grateful for their wonderful help and happy to see our friendship lasted for more than 30 years.
Until today, I still have vivid impression of some special moments spent with Dan. His wisdom, his humor, the trips we went together, the movies we all enjoyed, the opinions we exchanged, ..., are all my happy memories. I cherish them forever.
Xiaomin
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Skip Beck posted a condolence
Friday, January 28, 2022
I could write in generalities, saying how much I appreciated Dan going out of his way to welcome me when I was a new faculty member, note his kindness to everyone, or say how much I enjoyed bantering back and forth with him, but instead I decided to relate a humorous experience that was prototypically Dan.
In the 1980s, ASU established a publication to acknowledge faculty achievements. Dan, Polly (she may have a slightly different recollection of this escapade), and I thought it would be fun to create an imaginary faculty member who belonged to an imaginary department. Letterhead from the fictitious department was designed and purchased. We then composed a letter detailing the extraordinary accomplishment of our fictitious colleague.
They printed it.
So, the question became: How outlandish must the achievements of our nonexistent colleague become before someone realizes the absurdity of our stunt?
We submitted another letter attributing even more illustrious accomplishments to our faculty ghost.
Once again, they printed it.
We were on a roll. Our third letter credited our fanciful colleague with triumphs that would have done a Nobel Prize winner proud.
Finally, someone decided to seek out ASU’s most distinguished faculty member and discovered that neither he nor his department existed.
The game was up, but we had fun.
Miss you, Dan.
Skip Beck
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Dann Carnes uploaded photo(s)
Friday, January 21, 2022
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I had five classes with Dan from 71 to 74. He and OD Holton, in the English Dept. I credit with my success at ASU. Professor Duke was stingy on giving “A” grades-he really walked his talk and concern about grade inflation. After acing four classes he gave permission for me to take his graduate course offering. Instead of sitting at the back of class, I got bold and sat in the first row, but nearest the door, as Dan sprayed when he lectured and I knew to stay out of range. Given that I usually took an excessive number of courses and had to study long hours to excel, I was chronically tired. One class I fell asleep in the type of desks yiu sit in. As I reached the apex of falling over, I startled awake and came crashing back to earth up right rather than sideways and being pinned to the floor by my desk/chair contraption. The sound was profound. I wanted to dash out the door, but was frozen in embarrassment. I mentioned the event with Susan and Dan in Chapel Hill during a dinner they invited my wife, Rebecca and me to at 411 Restaurant. It was so gratuitous of Dan to say he did not notice, despite the crash back to earth hitting 5.5 on the Richter scale. I love this guy who got me off to a great start in college and provided a foundation for much of what I have contributed in life. I am so grateful and will look forward to a reunion on the other side. Dann Carnes of Chapel Hill
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Diane Cornett Deal posted a condolence
Tuesday, January 18, 2022
Dear Family and Friends,
So very sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
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ingrid lit a candle
Monday, January 17, 2022
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This is a lovely write up. Love to Cama, Miles and their families.--Ingrid Hayes
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Dove Terrell Humphrey posted a condolence
Sunday, January 16, 2022
Dan, I am a blessed person to have known you. You enriched my life with humor, sage advice, and kindness. I treasure the “back porch” suppers where spirits, camaraderie, and lively discussions reigned. The sun shines a little less warm, and the moon hangs at half mast on this day. Come summer though, with every High Country bridge game, I will smile in remembrance of of you; Every utterance of “good game” or “well done,” I will channel you; And every slam bid and made, I will salute you. Sorrow is in the parting, but joy is in the remembering.
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FRANK SHERWOOD posted a condolence
Friday, January 14, 2022
For all Dans accomplishments , he was even a better person
it is my honor to have known him and for him to have considered me a friend.
RIP " young fellow" your "older and wiser" friend Frank
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Pat Bumgarner posted a condolence
Friday, January 14, 2022
Susan and Family,
What great memories I have of Dan Duke. I took bridge classes at his Land Cruise at Appalachian and other venues in Boone over the years. In the 90s, he came to North Wilkesboro and ran some duplicate games for us at The Elks Club. In recent years I've enjoyed playing with him and Susan in Unit 244 games face to face and online the past couple of years. I always tried to keep learning when I played against him, and I delighted in his sense of humor. He was a legend in bridge circles.
My sincere sympathy to all who knew and loved him.
Peace,
Pat Bumgarner
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Chris Bailey posted a condolence
Friday, January 14, 2022
As an Englishman living in the mountains, Dan was a breath of fresh air.
I loved playing bridge with him. His gentle humour (English), tinged with a rugged intolerance of some of the political nonsense which is so prevalent today, made his company a treasure.
Keep looking down upon us with your rueful smile, Dan.
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Sophie Williams posted a condolence
Thursday, January 13, 2022
I am sorry to read of Dan's passing. He was a fine person. He told me once that he had considered majoring in English in school, but realized that English literature comprised of all of human experience, and that was too overwhelming, so he studied a subset of human experience, psychology.
My parents were friends of Dan and Donna and enjoyed each others' company at many convivial parties. My brother was one of Dan's bridge students in high school.
So sad to see him pass.
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Pam Winterstein posted a condolence
Thursday, January 13, 2022
I first met Mr. Duke about 10 years ago when I helped him on a bridge cruise. I helped him after that on numerous cruises, and really loved talking to him. I never met him in person and wish I had. I always enjoyed reading his funny emails.
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Judy Fleming posted a condolence
Thursday, January 13, 2022
I first met Dan when he came to Florida to give a winter bridge seminar in the early '90's . . I then attended one of his summer Land Cruise bridge weeks in Boone shortly after that . . I knew I would eventually send my summers in that area . . for the last ten summers I've had the pleasure calling Dan a friend and a mentor . . he will definitely be missed
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Rosalie Blowe posted a condolence
Wednesday, January 12, 2022
We got to know Dan as students at ASU (73-75). Dr. Duke was our psychology professor in several classes that were challenging, unusual, entertaining, and always worthwhile.
He became Dan for us as duplicate bridge players. Dan was The Godfather of Bridge in the High Country. He worked tirelessly to promote bridge and created many hundreds of bridge enthusiasts who owe him their love of the game. Not only did he teach bridge, but he also was an excellent player himself, earning the rare rank of Diamond Life Master awarded by the American Contract Bridge League. It was an honor and a challenge to compete with him as he displayed his prowess and unique style in local, regional, and national events.
Dan was a master of jokes and clever retorts— mostly hilarious and occasionally groaners. Even a few minutes with him resulted in laughter, lighter spirits, and a sense of fun.
Most of all, Dan was a caring friend. We grieve his loss and send condolences to his wife Susan and his family.
Royce and Rosalie Blowe
Greensboro, NC
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Joan Woodworth posted a condolence
Wednesday, January 12, 2022
As a former colleague (We even team-taught) and friend I send my sympathy and love to all of his family. I was fortunate to see him recently for a few lunches at the Farm Cafe and at his 90th birthday party. Dan was such an intelligent, kind and deeply caring person. He was a delight to know and share jokes with! He will be greatly missed by all. He was truly one of the great men in our community. Joan Woodworth
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Jerry Cheek uploaded photo(s)
Wednesday, January 12, 2022
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It was always a pleasure to see Dan, a kind man and a true gentleman. Godspeed, Dan, may your feathers be light on the wind.
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Betty Fugate posted a condolence
Wednesday, January 12, 2022
Sending my condolences to Susan and the Duke family. I will treasure Memories of such a gentleman and fun times playing bridge. Rest In Peace my friend.
Betty Fugate
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The family of John Daniel Duke uploaded a photo
Wednesday, January 12, 2022
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Austin & Barnes
Funeral Home and Crematory
194 Queen Street
Boone, North Carolina
28607
Phone: (828) 264-8888
Fax: (828) 264-8889
