Duane Gimbel died at age 69 on June 26, 2020, at home, overlooking Mutiny Bay, with his loving son, Ben, at his side.

Duane found his community, and home, on Whidbey Island, Wash., His last few weeks were filled with words of gratitude for his life, family and friends.

Duane lived a life of service to others, beginning as a teacher at the Turtle Mt. Indian Reservation in North Dakota, then serving as a citizen advocate and, later, program coordinator for RSVP in Madison, Wisc.

His move to Missoula, Mont. included work with Elderphone, Rural Institute for Disabilities, and Missoula AIDS Council.

Upon moving in Wash- ington state, he worked for Alliance of Information and referral services and Stanwood-Camano Community Resource Center.

On Whidbey Island, Duane served as director for South Whidbey Youth Connection and, later, worked part time for Whidbey Watershed Stewards and Good Cheer.

Duane was known and appreciated for his humor, love of plants and efforts at staying connected. He was also known as a curmudgeon with a huge, soft heart, especially for those less fortunate. He would encourage us to contribute time or resources to nonprofits working for those on the margins.

His only regret is that he wouldn’t live long enough to help vote our current president out of office.