Duane Robert Weber

     Duane Robert Weber passed into the Kingdom of Heaven on the morning of Sunday, July 14. He was born on February 5, 1938, in Homestead, PA, to Walter and Thelma (Madden) Weber. Raised in an industrial area of Pittsburgh, Duane shared many stories of the hard work of his parents during the Depression and World War II, adventures along the Monongahela River, gypsies passing through town, and vacations to the East Coast. His brother Walt, 12 years his senior, moved to Wyoming after returning from the war in 1945. Duane visited him numerous times and fell in love with the Wind River Range and the beautiful blue skies of Wyoming.

       Upon graduation from Munhall High School in 1956, Duane ventured west to attend the University of Wyoming. He graduated in 1960 with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and in 1964 returned to UW, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering.

      At UW, he met the love of his life, Kathryn Kurtz from Rock Springs, WY. After their graduation they married in Rock Springs in June of 1960, and moved to Milwaukee, WI, to begin his professional career. They were soon joined by two sons in Milwaukee and later by a daughter in Riverton, WY.

     Duane had a diverse career in engineering. He was employed by Allis-Chalmers in Milwaukee, WI, from 1960-1964, where he was involved in fuel cell development for NASA. He returned to UW from 1964-1965. After his second graduation, the family moved to Colorado Springs, CO, where Duane worked from 1965-1967 for Ampex Corporation, developing the first video read/write machines. The family then moved to Riverton, WY, where he worked at a budding computer industry start-up called Datel from 1967-1973. There he contributed expertise to the process of manufacturing equipment that could transfer computer data over telephone lines and formed lifelong friendships. Datel was sold to an out-of-state buyer in 1973 and closed shortly thereafter. Duane and his family chose to stay in Wyoming, taking a job with HNTB in Casper from 1973-1975. He later worked for Rice Merrick and in 1976 established Patterson Weber & Associates, where he worked until his retirement in 2001.

       Duane provided professional consulting for engineering projects throughout Wyoming, including numerous K-12 schools; swimming pools in Casper, Midwest, and Hardin; what is now known as the Cody Firearms Museum, Buffalo Bill Center of the West; prototype rest areas across the state; and multiple buildings at Casper College and the University of Wyoming. In 1997, he was appointed to the Professional Advisory Board of Professional Engineers by Governor Mike Sullivan.

      Duane was a man of tremendous faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, a proud and loving husband, father, and grandfather. His love of United States history, particularly the founding fathers, Lewis and Clark, the Civil War, and World War II, was evident in his extensive book collection. He was an intellectually curious and meticulous engineer with a terrific sense of humor and also a talented self-taught guitarist who shared his love of music with all who played with and listened to him. He was beloved by many and will be greatly missed by the communities of which he was a part.

      When he learned he was ill, he was ready to join Jesus in heaven. His Christian faith had been a guiding force throughout his life.

       Duane is survived by Kathryn, his wife of 64 years; sons Chet Weber of Arvada, CO, and Roger (Libbie) Weber of Albuquerque, NM; daughter Jenifer (Jason) West of Bozeman, MT; grandchildren YoHan Weber, SeMee Weber, and Lauren West; and numerous nieces, nephews, and close friends.

       He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Darrell (infant), and brother Walter Weber of Riverton, WY; and in-laws Samuel and Isabell Kurtz.

      A funeral service will be held at Cornerstone E-Free Church on Saturday, July 20, at 11:00 AM with Pastor Jack Olsen officiating. Bustard & Jacoby will be handling arrangements.

       In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Central Wyoming Hospice or the charity of your choice. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Dr. William Shear and his Nurse Practitioner Virginia, the team at Central Wyoming Hospice, their church families at Cornerstone Evangelical Free Church and River Church in Parker, AZ, and everyone who has shared their stories and memories of Duane with them.