Jan. 4, 2012
Longtime University of Illinois chaplain and director of the Newman Foundation Monsignor Edward J. Duncan passed away peacefully in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., on Jan. 3, 2012. He was 96 years old. Wake and visitation will be at Hurst Funeral Home in LaSalle, Ill., on Tuesday, Jan. 10, from 4-7 p.m. A funeral mass will take place at St. Patrick Parish in LaSalle, Ill., on January 11, at 11 am., followed by burial at St. Vincent's Cemetery.
Duncan was born September 7, 1915 in LaSalle, Ill., to J. Walter and Velma Marie (Twomey) Duncan and was named after his maternal grandfather, Edward Twomey. He is survived by his beloved brother, Raymond, of Denver, Colo., along with a large number of nieces, nephews and great friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers: J. Walter and Vincent.
A native of LaSalle, Ill., he grew up as a member of St Patrick's Parish in LaSalle and graduated from Saint Bede Academy in Peru, Ill., where he was honored with a number of academic awards. He completed his undergraduate degree from Holy Cross College in Worcester, Mass., graduating with high honors. Upon choosing the priesthood, he was encouraged by then-Bishop Joseph Schlarman to attend the Canisianum Seminary of Innsbruck, Austria.
When Nazis marched into Austria in 1938, the seminary was temporarily moved to Sion, Switzerland. Because of the events surrounding WWII, he moved again and spent a portion of the next semester studying in Ireland - but was quickly summoned home because of the continued unrest and uncertainty related to the war. He then enrolled at Catholic University in Washington, D.C., in their School of Sacred Sciences, received his licentiate in May of 1941 and returned to Illinois for ordination and appointment through the Diocese of Peoria.
After ordination, he celebrated his first mass at St Patrick's in LaSalle and was assigned Assistant Pastor at St. Malachy Church in Rantoul, Ill. While there, he also served as Auxiliary Military Chaplain to the servicemen at Chanute Air Force Base. After a few months, he was assigned to the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Streator, Ill., again serving as Assistant Pastor. Next was a position as Chaplain at St. Francis Hospital in Peoria. In order to again further his studies, he returned to Catholic University, graduating in 1943 with a doctorate in Sacred Theology.
Later that year, Bishop Schlarman appointed him director of the financially distressed St. John's Chapel and Newman Center at the University of Illinois. It is there where he displayed some of his best work - in the form of resurrecting an almost bankrupt St. John's Chapel and Newman Hall. To that financial retrenchment, he brought the intelligence of an outstanding student, the learning of a textual scholar and a bent for practicality perhaps to be expected from one reared in a family of bankers and entrepreneurs. Within several years, St John's Catholic Newman Center - still the only Newman Center in the country with on-site housing for students in a Catholic faith-based environment - was again solvent, and he continued to lead it for over 50 years.
Said Father Richard Mullen: "When the history of this foundation is written, it will have to be recorded that Monsignor Duncan inherited a near corpse, breathed health and vitality into it and kept it running efficiently ever since."
His youthful sense of purpose at St John's Catholic Newman Center allowed him to develop strong relationships with hundreds of Catholic students on both the University of Illinois and Parkland College campuses. His relationship building did not stop with students. His many friendships, business commitments and religious service kept him active in the Champaign-Urbana business and social community, the UI academic community, alongside political leaders in and around the state of Illinois, Catholic decision-makers worldwide, and the many alumni and friends of SJCNC. Included in those experiences were multiple audiences with the Pope and Vatican leaders.
One of his responsibilities that quickly became a labor of love was that of head chaplain for Fighting Illini student-athletes, providing spiritual support for team members and staff throughout his time on the campus. A constant fixture on the sidelines, he worked with 10 different head football coaches and eight head basketball coaches.
"Monsignor Duncan was an icon and an integral part of our athletic program for over 50 years and provided spiritual guidance to countless Fighting Illini student-athletes," former Illinois director of athletics Ron Guenther said. "He was a special friend and mentor and will certainly be missed."
His accomplishments through the years were truly countless and oft recognized both locally and worldwide, and in 2001, his life on the University of Illinois campus was detailed in book form in A Campus Ministry by Patrick J. Daly Jr.
"Monsignor Duncan's influence will be felt at SJCNC in perpetuity," said Gregory Ketcham, current SJCNC director, head chaplain and chaplain to Illini student-athletes. "Without his leadership, SJCNC would have disappeared decades ago. My staff, along with generations of Catholic Illini are forever grateful for his countless contributions on our behalf."
His philanthropic endeavors included literally hundreds of organizations throughout the years, as he took great pride seeing people benefit from his giving. He actively supported St Bede's Academy, Holy Cross College, Catholic University, St John's Catholic Newman Center, The I FUND, and The Krannert Center for the Performing Arts among others.
What little time he had for personal recreation over the years, he enjoyed tennis, horseback riding, snow skiing, golf, and countless worldly tours with his family. He especially enjoyed sharing fine wine and dinners with his many family and friends.
A funeral mass will take place at St. Patrick parish in LaSalle, Ill., on January 11, at 11 am. Bishop Daniel Jenky, Bishop of Peoria, will be officiating. A memorial mass on the UI campus at St John's Catholic Newman Center will take place at a later date. Memorial gifts, which will be used to sustain and memorialize Msgr. Duncan's years of service to the University of Illinois students, may be made in his name to St John's Catholic Newman Center (604 E. Armory Ave, Champaign, IL 61820). Hurst Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Burial will take place at St. Vincent's Cemetery in La Salle, Ill.
