Duane was a friendly, smart, and very funny guy. He had a droll sense of humor and always made me laugh! I think it was senior year when he asked if I'd like to get a ride on his motorcycle. He arrived at my house; unfortunately, my mom was home and said in no uncertain terms that I was not going to get a ride on Duane's motorcycle. He and I laughed about that moment through the years. It's too bad we didn't know he was suffering, as we could have let him know how much he meant to us, instead of in memoriam. I'm not sure how that could happen....Anyway, we loved Duane. Barb Colburn
My friendship with Duane began at age 16. He called to ask if he could come to my house and look at my new motorcycle. Turns out he was looking to buy one exactly like it. The rest of the story is history. We rode to school together every day weather permitting. My Mom and Duane's parents asked that we each always wear a helmet when riding. We obliged only Duane's helmet was too big to fit in his locker. He would leave it at my house and then pick it up after school. That plan worked well until the day he had an accident on the way back to my house to pick up his helmet. He ran into the back of a car at a stop sign, flew over the handlebars and dented the trunk of the car with his head. His head was fine but he fractured his femur. Needless to say Duane's Mom was not a happy camper. That accident would have ended most riders love for motorcycles. Not Duane. His femur healed following surgery and he went right back to riding again. Soon David Raiport, Lynn Scura, and Denny Cohen bought similar motorcycles. We rode together every chance we could. We all went on to college and remained friends. After college we went our separate ways. Duane and I kept in contact and got together whenever we could. He was the Best Man at my wedding. He came to say good by the day I left home for the Service. We would visit when I came home on leave. After I retired we traveled from Florida to the Adirondacks attending Motorcycle Rallies in my motor home. We visited each other a couple times a year. I referred to his house as my summer home. Here are just a few pictures of the good times we shared together. He even let me park my motor home in his front yard. I asked "what would your parents say about this." Rest in Peace my friend. You were and still are a the best friend any body could ever have!
Gerry Hewitt (Lainer)
Goodbye dear friend. Will miss you. Gerry
Barbara Colburn (Metz)
Duane was a friendly, smart, and very funny guy. He had a droll sense of humor and always made me laugh! I think it was senior year when he asked if I'd like to get a ride on his motorcycle. He arrived at my house; unfortunately, my mom was home and said in no uncertain terms that I was not going to get a ride on Duane's motorcycle. He and I laughed about that moment through the years. It's too bad we didn't know he was suffering, as we could have let him know how much he meant to us, instead of in memoriam. I'm not sure how that could happen....Anyway, we loved Duane.
Barb Colburn
John Lucas
My friendship with Duane began at age 16. He called to ask if he could come to my house and look at my new motorcycle. Turns out he was looking to buy one exactly like it. The rest of the story is history. We rode to school together every day weather permitting. My Mom and Duane's parents asked that we each always wear a helmet when riding. We obliged only Duane's helmet was too big to fit in his locker. He would leave it at my house and then pick it up after school. That plan worked well until the day he had an accident on the way back to my house to pick up his helmet. He ran into the back of a car at a stop sign, flew over the handlebars and dented the trunk of the car with his head. His head was fine but he fractured his femur. Needless to say Duane's Mom was not a happy camper. That accident would have ended most riders love for motorcycles. Not Duane. His femur healed following surgery and he went right back to riding again. Soon David Raiport, Lynn Scura, and Denny Cohen bought similar motorcycles. We rode together every chance we could. We all went on to college and remained friends. After college we went our separate ways. Duane and I kept in contact and got together whenever we could. He was the Best Man at my wedding. He came to say good by the day I left home for the Service. We would visit when I came home on leave. After I retired we traveled from Florida to the Adirondacks attending Motorcycle Rallies in my motor home. We visited each other a couple times a year. I referred to his house as my summer home. Here are just a few pictures of the good times we shared together. He even let me park my motor home in his front yard. I asked "what would your parents say about this." Rest in Peace my friend. You were and still are a the best friend any body could ever have!