David B. Duncan, artist and philanthropist

Posted 5/30/13

David Bruce Duncan, 68, of Lafayette Hill and Bryn Athyn, an artist and philanthropist , died May 19 of cancer at Chestnut Hill Hospital.

From 1973 to 1997, Mr. Duncan had been a successful fine …

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David B. Duncan, artist and philanthropist

Posted

David Bruce Duncan, 68, of Lafayette Hill and Bryn Athyn, an artist and philanthropist , died May 19 of cancer at Chestnut Hill Hospital.

From 1973 to 1997, Mr. Duncan had been a successful fine artist working out of Manhattan, with exhibitions around the United States and in Europe. Since that time he had been an owner with his wife, Deana Pitcairn Duncan, of the Pitcairn Trust Co. and an ex-officio member of the Beneficia Foundation.

Born in St. Louis, he was raised in California and Hawaii, the son of a naval officer. He graduated from Principia College and attended the U.S. Naval Aviation Flight School. During the Vietnam War he was a Navy pilot.

After his military service, he worked in the media department at the J. Walter Thompson advertising agency and for Advanced Management Research.

Since 1989 he has served the Philadelphia Museum of Art as ex-officio trustee, as a member of the Major Gifts Campaign Committee, as co-chair of the Associates Program, and as a member of the Fiske Kimball Society as a donor of major works of art.

He also was was a longtime board member and benefactor of Enchantment Theatre Company and served on the auxiliary board of the Pitcairn Trust Company and on the boards of the Abington Art Center, Wilma Theatre, Philadelphia Theater Company, Gas and Electric Arts and Angel Flight East.

He had lectured on fundraising to major arts organizations, including the Salvador Dali Museum in St.Petersburg, Fla., and the Phoenix Opera Company. He was a facilitator and contributing resource to development offices at the Mary Baker Eddy Library, Principia College, Westminster Choir College and many others.

He was a Knight of Grace and a member of the Sovereign Orthodox Order of the Knights Hospitaller of St. John of Jerusalem, the Order of St. Catherine of Mt. Sinai, and the Order of Salvador.

Mr. Duncan is survived by his wife of 25 years.

A memorial service was held May 23 at the Bryn Athyn Cathedral, Bryn Athyn. – WF

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