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“I am without form, withoutlimit, beyond space, beyondtime. I am in everything.Everything is me. I am the blissof the universe” -Ram Daas

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Dad made everyone feel like a million bucks. He'd talk deeply with the plumber, the homeless man on the street, anyone he came in contact with. He'd be their friend, their therapist, their confidante, and find all the good within them and relay it back to them. I'd catch him on the phone having in deep talks and I'd later say "Who was that?" and he'd say "well so and so really needed a session, or it was my dear friend so and so" and on and on. Dad's spirit was ALWAYS this way and WILL always be this way.

"Energy cannot be created nor destroyed". His energy is with us forever in this incredible spirit universe and vast plane we are lucky enough to be a part of. Love you Dad forever and ever.

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When I first met Duane, I was struck by how easy he was to connect with. We bonded instantly over something as simple as trashy TV—specifically The OC, my favorite show in high school. Duane loved it too, and we could have talked about it for hours. That connection made me realize just how wonderful he was. He had a unique ability to relate to everyone and make them feel truly seen. When Duane talked to you, it was like you were the only person in the world that mattered in that moment.

After getting to know Duane better and spending time with him in various situations, I remember telling Taylor, my husband, that I was only marrying him because of his grandfather. It was a joke, of course, but it just goes to show how deeply Duane could impact people. He was one of those rare souls who made everyone feel like family.

Taylor and I were overjoyed when Duane agreed to officiate our wedding. We both admired and trusted him so much, and having him as a part of that day meant everything to us. Leading up to the wedding, Taylor and I were so busy with work that we let some things—like finalizing and practicing our vows—slide. Duane and Kathy were so patient with us, helping us work on them, but in the chaos, we still didn’t realize the importance of practicing.

When the big moment came, I walked down the aisle, and Taylor and I suddenly realized we hadn’t printed anything out. We’d worked out these beautiful vows, but Duane had to recite the whole thing line by line for us to repeat back. We ended up making multiple mistakes, laughing through the entire process. It turned out to be the highlight of the wedding.

That moment set the tone for our marriage, where laughter is a priority, even in the midst of life’s chaos. Duane didn’t just officiate our wedding; he gave us a memory we’ll cherish forever. He taught us that imperfection is beautiful, and joy can be found in every moment. That’s just who he was—a person who brought love, patience, and light into every situation, and someone who made us all feel deeply seen.

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It’s been several years since we last saw Duane due to the mere fact of geographical distance, but I can speak for Josh and I when I say he will be deeply, dearly missed. He was a bonus gift of a grandfather to us when John and Janna married. And while we didn’t see him all that often, each time was sweet. We left each visit feeling loved and encouraged to press on.

Admittedly, I don’t have many pictures of Duane, but I found one from a trip taken to Pagosa Springs, CO, in March 2009. We embarked on a big family spring break trip, and within my captured memories I found this picture. Nothing special at first, just the guys shooting bee bee guns off the back porch, but that’s just it. Being together, enjoying company and simplicity, loving those you are with for who they are-I’ll always treasure that about Duane.

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Duane,

We feel so blessed that you and Kathy came to our Salida, CO home just this last August! You came into our lives so many decades ago, 5 maybe? A lifetime for sure….

Anyway, we can’t imagine a time before you and Kathy were our Besties. Your spirit will be with us forever, ‘beyond space, beyond time’.

Your soft trawl is in our minds along with your face, patient smile, kind presence and STRONG political opinions………fortunately, we were all on the same page there! We self-deported before the inauguration and who knew you would do the same? You were always one step ahead of us! Go Duane!!!

When we came to your home with our baby Meg on oxygen (crawling on the floor with Nick!) prior to her open-heart surgery, you mentioned the oxygen tube was an umbilical cord that might bind us for life.  Who could have predicted that she would survive and you would be presiding at her marriage years later? As mentioned in another remembrance, you did not just make the bride and groom comfortable, you made everyone in attendance comfortable and laughing.

Save a place for us in the great hereafter sweet friend. Today the world gathers to remember how you spread love and made our world a better place. Love, Carol and Mark Duster