Duane Frederick Dunlap's Obituary
Duane Frederick Dunlap, 88, of Brooklyn, Michigan, passed away on September 8th, 2024. He died as all of us wish to - of old age, at home, and surrounded by loving family.
Duane was born October 26th, 1935, in New Baltimore, Michigan, the son of Fred H. Dunlap and Lucille (O’Dell) Dunlap. The second of five siblings, he entered this world at the height of the Great Depression and spent the first year of his life living in a tent. His father, Fred, later built a beautiful home for the family and ran a successful gas station on the premises. Duane held deep admiration for his father, looking up to him throughout his life.
Duane graduated from Anchor Bay High School in 1953, and went on to the University of Michigan, earning a B.S. in Aeronautical Engineering (class of 1957), an M.S. in Engineering Mechanics (class of 1964), and an M.S. in Computer, Information, and Control Engineering (class of 1969). He was the second of his siblings to obtain a bachelor’s degree, and the first in his family to earn a master’s degree. Duane completed basic training for the Marines in 1959 and was in the Marine Corps reserves for 7 years. He was the founder and President of Cnawlaecan, a consulting engineering firm focusing on highway design and safety.
Duane had two children, Daniel and Kimberly, with his first wife, Kathleen Wilson, and one child, Caitlin, with his second wife, Laura Merrihew. Duane especially loved hunting, fishing, trapping, and vacationing at his cabin in the Upper Peninsula. He was an avid runner who continued jogging well into his 80s. In 2018, he competed in his last race and proudly claimed victory in his age bracket—being the only competitor in the over-80 group!
Preceding Duane in death are his parents, Fred and Lucille; his brother, Charles; and his sister, Nancy. Remaining to cherish Duane’s memory are his wife, Laura Merrihew; his children, Daniel Dunlap (Julie), Kimberly Cowen (Bradley), and Caitlin Sikes (Justin); his grandchildren, Chloe Cowen, McKenna Dunlap, and Talia Dunlap; his brother, Fritz Dunlap; his sister, Bette Carrothers; and countless nieces and nephews.
A memorial luncheon will be held on what would have been Duane’s 89th birthday: Saturday, October 26th, 2024, from 1-5 PM at Admirals Cove, 10470 Dixie Highway, Fair Haven, MI 48023. All friends and family are welcome to attend.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The National Audubon Society in honor of Duane, whose love for birds and nature was an inspiration to all who knew him.
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