Duane Weidler

DUANE WEIDLER August 21, 1927 – August 2, 2017 Born on August 21 1927, in Albion, PA to Donald Arthur Weidler & Rachael Geraldine Harris.  Along with his parents, Duane is predeceased by his devoted wife of nearly 65 years, Margaret (Peggy), 2 brothers (Don & Gene), his only sister, Margie, and his eldest son, William (Bill).  Survived by a sister-in-law, Virginia Weidler of Linesville, PA; 4 children, Glenda Hawkins (Mike), Jack (Cindy), Nancy Fish, & Tom (Pam); 9 grandchildren, & 7 great grandchildren, as well as many nephews & nieces.  Duane graduated from high school early, at the age of 17 so he could enlist in the Navy. However, he needed his mother’s permission because he was under the age of 18. She reluctantly signed the papers to give her permission knowing that she was sending her youngest son into harm’s way along with his two brothers and her husband. She didn’t really think Duane would be accepted because he had polio in his arm and leg as a child. The Navy didn’t discover his polio until three months later when he was already on his way to Japan. When he arrived in Japan in January 1945, he realized that his older brother, Don was coincidentally at the same location on board the most hit aircraft carrier in the Navy, the USS Intrepid. Notably, the USS Intrepid also participated in the Vietnam War and was used as the recovery ship for the Mercury and Gemini space mission. Duane had his ship signalman message his brother’s ship. By chance, his brother was on duty and immediately replied. Within an hour, the two brothers were reunited for a short visit. Duane served as a Fire Control Technician on a station auxiliary oil tanker, USS Tappahannock AO-43, with a mission to destroy floating mines. While he was on board, they sank and destroyed 11 floating mines between China and Japan as well as traveled to Saudi Arabia to pick up oil to refuel American vessels and aircraft. Following the war, found Duane working as a toy designer for the 1950's world's largest toy company, Louis Marx Toy Company.  From 1947 – 1962 he designed many toys but he was most proud of his patented small toy train engine with lights and whistles that quickly were seen under every Christmas tree.  He had a side job as the small community’s only Justice of the Peace. There were interesting stories, as hearings were held in their home. He dealt mainly with local domestic relations, property discrepancies, and traffic violations. Things could get a bit testy in their living room when neighbors had disagreements or disliked the ruling. As a young man living in Pennsylvania, Duane loved to hunt and fish. In 1948, he built a log cabin in the Allegheny Mountains, where the growing family spent weekends together. It remains in the possession of the family and generations of family members continue to enjoy this special place. In l962, Duane was hired to be the Washington Trail Council District Executive for the Boy Scouts of American in Erie, PA.  His main job was to work with a volunteer board of directors and other community and business leaders to identify, recruit, train, guide, and inspire them to become involved in youth programs. As the Camp Director for the Boy Scout summer camp program, the family spent summers in a lakeside cottage on Lake Erie.  In 1968, the BSA moved him & his family to Tucson, to continue his position with Catalina Counsel.  During the 70's Duane decided to change careers and thoroughly enjoyed his new job as a Pima County Deputy Sheriff working as the Chief of Security at Old Tucson.  We have all heard his stories of being a bodyguard for famous movie stars as they filmed movies and TV shows such as Bonanza, High Chaparral & Gunsmoke.   Duane’s final 22-year career before retiring in the mid-90’s, was teaching electronics to students at ABC Technical Trade School. He was a Life Member of Tucson/Catalina VFW post #7399 & past commander of the Pennsylvania American Legion #494. In October, 2014, he was among the privileged WWII veterans to be escorted to the war memorial in Washington, D.C. on the 12th Arizona Honor Flight. Some of his greatest joy came from dressing in his clown suit and walking in parades or visiting children in hospitals as a member of the Shriners Club. This is an organization from all walks of life. They wear the funny hats – like upside down flowerpots with the tassel on the side. The Shriner’s hospitals have made huge differences in the lives of children with birth defects and major burns. Always the ultimate University of Arizona Wildcat fan, for over 37 years, he enjoyed taking tickets for basketball, baseball & football games as well as for the Colorado Rockies spring training games. Of all these careers, jobs, and accomplishments, we hope he realized how blessed he was to have had a devoted wife of nearly 65 years and a loving family who cared for him.  He was not an overly demonstrative man….a man of few words.... The family would like to express their gratitude to the Tucson Veterans Administration “Homecare” program for their constant attention, communication, and care he received from his medical team. We will also be forever grateful to Angels R Us, where he lived for the past 27 months; lovingly caring for him as if he were a member of their family. He was made to feel “at home” and appreciated the friendships he developed there. You truly extended his life and made his last couple of years the best they could be. Also, we would like to thank Broadway Proper and the friends that he met the 2 ½ years he lived at the assisted living. A celebration of his life will be held at Angel Valley Funeral Home, 2545 N. Tucson Blvd., Tucson, Arizona, on his 90th birthday, August 21, 2017 at 6:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations made in his name to Disabled American Veterans, American Diabetes Association or Honor Flight of Southern Arizona, P.O. Box 32649, Tucson, Arizona 85751.  Duane & Peg's ashes will be buried together at a later date at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Marana, Arizona.