Mr. Alden Charles DuPont "Duke" Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Alden "Duke" C. DuPont, 95, died peacefully on Monday, May 16 in his residence in Philadelphia, PA. Duke was preceded in death by his loving wife of 60 years, Pauline C. DuPont, in 2012. Alden and Pauline together raised a small village of nine children, 22 grandchildren, and 21 great grandchildren. Duke leaves behind Dan and wife Carol, Colleen and husband Joe, Eileen and husband Dave, Susan and husband Joe, Lisa, Mark and wife Blythe, John, Terie and husband John, Jeff and wife Siera along with grandchildren Andrew, Lauren, Jim, Shannon, Erin, Vince, Dieter, Luke, Chris, Katy, Nick, Paul, Matthew, Alexa, Nicole, Ryan, Caitlin, Sarah, Ian, Ilyas, Zacharia, Ephraim, and Rex Goliath. Duke was born in Bristol, PA on November 12, 1926 to the parents of Mark and Genevieve. He was the youngest of four children, including brothers Mark and John and sister Eleanor. He attended Northwest Catholic high school and was drafted into the army in 1944 prior to graduating. He served in WWII and was honorably discharged, at which point he completed his high school education and subsequently earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in engineering from Pennsylvania Military College (now Widener University) and Villanova University on the GI bill. He retired from Naval Air Development Center in 1991,, where his last projects involved developing radar techniques for tracking submarines and methods for mitigating lightning strikes on aircraft. Duke met the love of his life, Pauline, at a dance in Philadelphia, and they were married on June 9, 1951. During their courtship, Duke acquired a private pilot’s license, and he and Pauline occasionally flew from their homes near Philadelphia to visit family in Midwestern Pennsylvania. He and Pauline took their nine children on many memorable family vacations and camping trips (many in a Chevrolet station wagon). After retirement, he and Pauline loved to travel and also conducted volunteer work in Kenya and Zimbabwe, where Duke taught people how to install and operate water wells and Pauline (a nurse) taught hygiene. Duke received the Paul Harris Award from Rotary International for his volunteer work, which recognizes “exceptional service to Rotary and the Community over and above what would normally be expected”. He dazzled his children with some impressive art work after learning how to paint during retirement. He treasured Levi jeans that never fit, cashews, and chocolate. He also loved boating and telling good jokes, some of which were even funny. A closed casket viewing will be held on Tuesday, May 24th from 9:30 to 10:30AM at the Chapel at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul located on 18th Street and Ben Franklin Parkway and Vine Street, Phila. PA (https://cathedralphila.org/). A church service will follow the viewing. Parking is available on 18th Street between the Ben Franklin Parkway and Vine Street. There will be a private luncheon following services on Tuesday for immediate family only. Please share our apologies to your friends/families/in-laws that limited space precludes extending the invitation. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to World Vision https://www.worldvision.org/donate Arr. Dinan Funeral Home, Phila., PA. Condolences may also be sent to www.dinanfuneralhome.com

Mr. Alden Charles DuPont "Duke"

November 12, 1926 - May 16, 2022

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