I awoke Christmas day just not feeling well. I felt poorly enough that I encouraged Kathy to keep our appointment with friends for Christmas dinner. But I stayed in, reading, resting, reflecting. Last night I learned, that on that very day, one of my beloved friends and mentors in Auburn, California had passed away after enduring a difficult season of illness and injury.

 

Duncan Patty was, I believe, ninety-five years old.

 

He was a Stanford-educated geologist. He was the son of a Stanford-educated lawyer. His father's story is every bit as remarkable as Duncan's own. And, in fact, partially explains Duncan's character and career. Duncan's father, suffering from ill health, moved his young family from Ohio to Palo Alto, California for a more moderate clime.

 

Duncan's father passed his time by dropping in on lectures at nearby Stanford University's Law School. Over time, he asked the professors if he might take the examinations. He passed. Duncan's father would ultimately help draft the California State Bar Exam.

 

Duncan was married to his bride Charlotte for nearly three-quarters of a century. They met one evening in Norman, Oklahoma where Charlotte was attending school at OU. Young ladies from Charlotte's sorority were asked to accompany a group of Navy pilots visiting the area. Charlotte, self-conscious of her height, started down the stairs with her sorority sisters. As they descended and their callers came into view, one of the young men, Duncan, was obscured from their sight because of his height. Without pause and sight unseen, Charlotte turned to her sisters and declared, "I've got the tall one." Yes, she did.

 

Duncan and Charlotte spent virtually his entire career with Tejon Ranch in Frazier Park, California, where they raised their beautiful family. Duncan encouraged Tejon Ranch to expand their vision beyond livestock and into unimagined territories. Duncan retired early and well, and they moved north to Auburn.

 

It was my privilege to work with Duncan and Charlotte through Rotary and in the Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital Foundation. They were often our hosts upon our visits to Auburn from Louisiana. They have been precious friends for twenty-five years.

 

Above all of their personal and professional accomplishments, Duncan and Charlotte have been a people after God's own heart. What I will long remember of Duncan was his almost childlike delight in life. He was always curious, always reading, always learning. He'd sometimes giggle with excitement when sharing his most recent discovery. He was a meticulous man; he loved details; and he paid attention to them. He was a giant of a man with a heart to match. Duncan and Charlotte were great philanthropists, and Duncan only expressed wonder that he had been blessed with the means and the opportunity.

It's difficult to summarize my love and respect for Duncan. He was kind. He was a counselor. He was grace. And he will be missed. But I am grateful to wish him well as he loosens the moorings from this life to a place where his curiosity and delight will never be quenched.