Charles Duncan
April 12th, 1929 - April 26th, 2024
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Charles's Obituary
Our dear father and friend, Charles Duncan, went home to be with the Lord on April 26, 2024 after recently celebrating his 95th birthday. He will be remembered as a handsome, energetic, funny, loving man who enjoyed life.
Charles, the youngest of Charles and Martha Duncan’s four children, was born in El Dorado, Kansas on April 12, 1929. Charles Duncan had many loves: His relationship with God, his family, traveling and socializing with friends, and the perfect smile. Oh, and let us not forget golf! He was bitten by the bug at the El Dorado Golf Course, and it became a lifelong joy with the never-ending challenge of mastering the perfect swing.
Growing up as a depression era child in a small town, Charles set a goal early on to attend college and practice orthodontics. He graduated from Kansas University with a degree in chemistry. From there he attended dental and orthodontic school at University of Missouri Kansas City. It was during his time in dental school that a beautiful woman at the local El Dorado soda shop caught his eye. Charles married Mary Lou Meyers, the love of his life, on July 1, 1955. Immediately following the wedding, they moved to Texas where Charles began his service as a captain in the U.S. Army. It was there that they befriended Bill and Silvia (Upton) Fowler who introduced them to the Twin Cities. Charles and Mary Lou loved the beauty of the area, they moved, and Charles opened his orthodontic practice.
Charles became very active in the Charles H. Tweed Foundation where he and colleagues tested out different procedures and methodologies to improve orthodontia. He annually taught at the Tweed Study Course in Arizona with orthodontists from all around the world. Charles was honored to serve as president of the Tweed Foundation prior to his retirement in 2002. He also shared his love of teaching at the University of Missouri and University of Michigan Dental Schools. His patients have a particular smile that is recognizable to the educated eye. After retirement, Charles and Mary Lou spent winters in Sea Island, Georgia and summers in their home on Lake Michigan: Beauty year round and the golf was great! His greatest golf achievement was at Point O’ Woods Country Club and he challenged himself to a marathon of 167 holes in one day!
Charles and Mary Lou cherished their friends. They loved celebrating birthdays together and hosting backyard clam bakes. Traveling with friends was also a joy for them…whether to play golf in Scotland or cruise the Great Barrier Reef, they were always up for an adventure.
As an engaged participant of the Benton Harbor/St. Joseph community, Charles was an active member of the Rotary Club, the Benton Township Planning Commission, and Fairplain Presbyterian Church. Charles served his church faithfully in various roles including elder.
Charles was preceded in death by his wife Mary Lou (nee Myers), and siblings Warren (May) Duncan, Samuel Duncan, Marty (Bill) Binter. He is survived by his daughters Julie (Neil) Goltermann and Liz (Tom) Parrott, five grandchildren, Max Goltermann, Mattie (Chas) Holder, Sam Goltermann, Riley Parrott, Duncan Parrott, and two great-grandchildren Teddy and Henry Holder.
We are forever grateful for our amazing caregivers who served dad with such love and grace over the many years as he struggled with dementia.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, May 3, at 1 PM at Fairplain Presbyterian Church, 210 W. Napier Ave., Benton Harbor. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family one hour prior to the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Fairplain Presbyterian Church or Sarett Nature Center. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Charles, the youngest of Charles and Martha Duncan’s four children, was born in El Dorado, Kansas on April 12, 1929. Charles Duncan had many loves: His relationship with God, his family, traveling and socializing with friends, and the perfect smile. Oh, and let us not forget golf! He was bitten by the bug at the El Dorado Golf Course, and it became a lifelong joy with the never-ending challenge of mastering the perfect swing.
Growing up as a depression era child in a small town, Charles set a goal early on to attend college and practice orthodontics. He graduated from Kansas University with a degree in chemistry. From there he attended dental and orthodontic school at University of Missouri Kansas City. It was during his time in dental school that a beautiful woman at the local El Dorado soda shop caught his eye. Charles married Mary Lou Meyers, the love of his life, on July 1, 1955. Immediately following the wedding, they moved to Texas where Charles began his service as a captain in the U.S. Army. It was there that they befriended Bill and Silvia (Upton) Fowler who introduced them to the Twin Cities. Charles and Mary Lou loved the beauty of the area, they moved, and Charles opened his orthodontic practice.
Charles became very active in the Charles H. Tweed Foundation where he and colleagues tested out different procedures and methodologies to improve orthodontia. He annually taught at the Tweed Study Course in Arizona with orthodontists from all around the world. Charles was honored to serve as president of the Tweed Foundation prior to his retirement in 2002. He also shared his love of teaching at the University of Missouri and University of Michigan Dental Schools. His patients have a particular smile that is recognizable to the educated eye. After retirement, Charles and Mary Lou spent winters in Sea Island, Georgia and summers in their home on Lake Michigan: Beauty year round and the golf was great! His greatest golf achievement was at Point O’ Woods Country Club and he challenged himself to a marathon of 167 holes in one day!
Charles and Mary Lou cherished their friends. They loved celebrating birthdays together and hosting backyard clam bakes. Traveling with friends was also a joy for them…whether to play golf in Scotland or cruise the Great Barrier Reef, they were always up for an adventure.
As an engaged participant of the Benton Harbor/St. Joseph community, Charles was an active member of the Rotary Club, the Benton Township Planning Commission, and Fairplain Presbyterian Church. Charles served his church faithfully in various roles including elder.
Charles was preceded in death by his wife Mary Lou (nee Myers), and siblings Warren (May) Duncan, Samuel Duncan, Marty (Bill) Binter. He is survived by his daughters Julie (Neil) Goltermann and Liz (Tom) Parrott, five grandchildren, Max Goltermann, Mattie (Chas) Holder, Sam Goltermann, Riley Parrott, Duncan Parrott, and two great-grandchildren Teddy and Henry Holder.
We are forever grateful for our amazing caregivers who served dad with such love and grace over the many years as he struggled with dementia.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, May 3, at 1 PM at Fairplain Presbyterian Church, 210 W. Napier Ave., Benton Harbor. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family one hour prior to the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Fairplain Presbyterian Church or Sarett Nature Center. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
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