(no picture available)	Family Album for the family of Robert E. and Catherine (Gross) Duncan with Robert's Biography, Obituary, and a Letter also see GenForums for Duncan * Gross family questions and the John and Nancy Duncan Family Index Page
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Robert E. Duncan Biography Currently, I do not know how Robert E. Duncan fits into John and Nancy (Jones) Duncan's family, but is likely one of their great-grandsons. (He referred to Frances George Ertel's mother, Maybelle Duncan George, in the letter below. Maybelle was a granddaughter of John and Nancy Duncan.) Born about 1913 in Covington (Miami County) OH, Robert was born 100 years after that John Duncan. Robert's obituary listed two sisters, Vera Duncan Duncan - Mrs. Ed M. Duncan, and Ruth Duncan Fulker - Mrs. Hobart A. Fulker, both living in the Piqua, Ohio area in 1969. However, further information indicates that Vera was Vera (JESS) Duncan, Robert's sister-in-law. Robert left home for college, earning his PhD in Wisconsin, and settling in Madison, WI. He married Catherine Gross, and they had perhaps three children: Dana, Margorie, and John Duncan. Dana Duncan was not married when her father died in 1969. Margorie and her husband Bud (surname, unknown) of Piqua, OH had two daughters, Catherine (Univ of CO) and Carolyn (Defiance Univ). John Duncan, living in Ottawa, IL, had married Phyllis Drees back in Covington, OH. They had two children, Timothy Duncan, who married in 1968, and Mary Duncan (apparently a high school senior in 1969). Besides his two sisters, Robert had two brothers, both dead by 1969. Lee Duncan's wife, Jenny, was living on the Duncan home farm. Frank Duncan's wife, Ersta, had also died by then. Their sister, Ruth and Hobart Fulker had sons. The youngest son, Bob Fulker, had a grandson who was in the Navy and married a girl he met in New Zealand. They had a son.
Death Notices: Madison Wisconsin - Monday, February 25, 1974 (clipping source unknown) DUNCAN, Robert E. [ca 1913 to Feb 23 1974] MADISON - Dr. Robert E Duncan, age 61, of 1814 Kendall Ave., died on Saturday, February 23, 1974, at a Madison hospital. He had multiple sclerosis for many years. Born in Covington, Ohio, he had been a Madison resident since 1935. He received his PhD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and was a professor of botany at the University. He was also a director of the former University of Wisconsin Neurological Foundation Laboratory. Mr. Duncan also worked at the Schubert Greenhouse on cross-pollination of orchids. Survivors include his daughter, Miss Dana Duncan, of Madison; and two sisters, Mrs. E. M. Duncan, Covington, Ohio, and Mrs. Hobart Fulker, Piqua, Ohio. He was preceded in death by his wife, Catherine Gross Duncan in 1968. Funeral services will be held at the FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH CHAPEL at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 26, The Rev. Lawrence Gruman officiating. There will be no visitation. The Froutschi Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Dear Frances: Do you realize that it has been 35 years [1934] since I saw you and 24 years [1945] since I had any kind of communication other than the usual inconsequential drivel on a Christmas card to which you had signed your name with your eyes closed I am sure. I've been thinking that you will have to thank me for keeping the channels of communication open. I am sorry we have wasted so much time because I am certain we would have enjoyed an occasional exchange of repartee. Witness your recent worry about Chet and Dave's re-entry problems. I had to think a moment before I realized that I too was interested in the re-entry problem but not of Chet and Dave -- rather of Eric's. When I saw him later on TV he showed hardly a scratch. I'm sorry to hear about Lois and Marguerite, but at least you have Miriam and Alice left. Actually you see, no one had ever told me that you had George and Nancy. I am indeed behind the times. Dana is at this moment skiing in Boulder, Colorado, where she is visiting Marjorie's daughter, who is attending the University of Colorado. Marjorie's husband is a Colonel in the Army -- at present he is on an equipment evaluation mission in Viet Nam, leaving Marjorie behind in a apartment in Piqua. Marjorie and Bud, her husband, have two daughters, Catherine, at the University of Colorado, and Carolyn, at Defiance. Marjorie's brother, John, is an executive with the Bell Telephone System, stationed in Ottawa, Illinois. He married Phyllis Drees of Covington, a high school sweetheart. The have two children, Timothy, who was married just before Christmas, and Mary who is trying to decide whether to attend the University of Illinois or Ball State. I don't know what her special interest are but I wouldn't have any trouble deciding, would you? I can't begin to fill you in on Lee and Frank's children. Both Lee and Frank are dead. Jenny is living only in a small house on the home farm. Ersta, Frank's wife, preceeded him in death. Ruth's father's only daughter [sic] has a recently married grandson, who has just returned from the navy. His wife is a girl he met in New Zealand. They have an extremely cute youngster -- he reminds me of both his father and grandfather. The couple are so enamored with each other, it is almost painful to watch, particularly for an old man like me. Bob (the grandfather, Ruth's youngest son) works in Dayton at the Crysler Plant. He is involved in their research and development program. If you happen to bump into a youngish, early middle aged man on your way to work and he looks familiar, don't be surprised, it may be Bob. I think it's shameful that you have the interest and curiosity about the restoration of the Colonel Johnston farm near Piqua. Your curiosity could be satisfied so easily -- I am certain that Ruth and Hobart would be happy to take you to see it. They can be reached at 1408 Nicklin Avenue where they have lived since I went to high school [ca 1930]. Or Vera and Ed would be pleased to take you. Ed now owns the old home farm where they live. He is at present the Vice President of the Citizen's National Bank in Covington, but I don't think he's so busy that they would not be pleased to see you. You must remember that your mother [Maybelle Duncan George] was one of our favorite people and that all of us have always maintained a ready affection for your whole family. I am sending your letter to Vera so that the rest of my family will be somewhat au courant. By the way, I am not at present teaching and have not for a number of years. I was last a director of a research laboratory of the Wisconsin Neurological Foundation, but gave it up when we went to live in Switzerland for a year and a half. The organization has since folded. I am at present confined to my wheel chair except when in bed. You see I never had MD but I do have MS. Regards, Robert (from the papers of Frances George Ertel)