Duane Leroy Blake was born Aug. 27, 1922. He passed away Oct. 22, 2016.

Duane was a compassionate and kind man. His sincere personality touched all who knew him. Born in Gregory, S.D., he graduated high school and moved to Oregon to work and see the world. He joined the navy when WWll broke out and became a navy pilot. He flew into the south and north pacific theaters rescuing injured marines from the front lines. He was at Iwo Jima and Okinawa. Duane left the navy in December of 1945.

He briefly attended Oklahoma University where he married his wife Margaret and they transferred to Iowa State University in Ames. In 1966, after graduate school, he and Margaret took teaching jobs at Colorado State University. Duane was also a “national” square dance caller, having written several songs and recording one record. He was known as the “yodeling professor.” Retirement came after 23 years at CSU, in 1988. Duane was married to Marilyn for 41 years and enjoyed a full and happy retirement. He will be interned at Ft. Logan National Cemetary in Denver.

He is survived by Margaret, Marilyn, children Richard, Kara, and Deborah, and three grand children Ryan, Robin, and Lauren.

Published in The Coloradoan from Dec. 30, 2016