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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Robert W.
4Duncan of Marion, who passed away on October 12, 2013; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Robert Duncan was born on December 20, 1920 in
6Marion to Absalom Wesley and Nellie Mae (nee Drake) Duncan; he
7graduated from Marion High School and attended Southern
8Illinois University in Carbondale for 3 years before joining
9the United States Navy; he married Evelyn Russell on March 7,
101943 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Robert Duncan joined the Navy at age 21 and had a
1226-year military career; he was one of the original members of
13the "Fighting Five" of the USS Yorktown, also dubbed "The
14Fighting Lady"; he earned the title "Fighter Ace" for the
15numerous successful aerial combat missions he was involved in
16during World War II; in recognition of his success, he was
17awarded the Navy Cross, the Navy's highest honor for
18extraordinary heroism, skilled airmanship, courage, and
19gallant devotion to duty in the face of overwhelming
20opposition; he was credited with flying more than 100 missions
21during World War II and the Korean War; he was honorably
22discharged in 1966 with the rank of naval captain; his exploits
23in the air were documented in 2007 in a History Channel series

 

 

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1entitled "Dogfights", about World War II fighter pilots; and
 
2    WHEREAS, Robert Duncan became a real estate broker with
3Rodd Realty of Marion for several years following his
4retirement from the Navy; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Robert Duncan served as Chairman of the Williamson
6County Regional Airport Board for 21 years, President of the
7Illinois Regional Airport Association, and Vice-President of
8Central Technology, Incorporated of Herrin; he was also a
9member of Marion Elks Lodge Benevolent and Protective Order of
10Elks No. 800, a 32nd Degree Mason, and a lifetime member of the
11Marion Veterans of Foreign Wars Heyde-Pillow Post 1301; in
122001, he was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the
13Marion Area Chamber of Commerce; he was a longtime member of
14the First Baptist Church of Marion; and
 
15    WHEREAS, Robert Duncan was preceded in death by his parents
16and by his brother, Carl Duncan; and
 
17    WHEREAS, Robert Duncan is survived by his wife, Evelyn
18Duncan; his daughter, Janice L. (Scott) Magruder; his son,
19Steven L. Duncan; his grandson, David (Crystal) Magruder; his
20granddaughter, Heather (Brian) Townsend; his
21great-granddaughters, Devon Hayley Magruder and Madalynn Grace
22Magruder; and other extended family and many friends;

 

 

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1therefore, be it
 
2    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
3NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
4we mourn the passing of Robert W. Duncan and extend our sincere
5condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved
6him; and be it further
 
7    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
8presented to the family of Robert Duncan as an expression of
9our deepest sympathy.