Duane Robert Walsh

Duane Robert Walsh, “Dewey,” as many called him, was born in Mercer County, PA, on January 23, 1933. He passed away peacefully on February 2, 2026, in Sanford, NC, with his daughters by his side.

He was one of six children born to Richard and Flora Walsh. After completing high school, he attended mechanical technical school in Detroit, Michigan, for one year. He married Della Miller in 1952, and together they loved to farm and raise their five children: Robert II, Suzanne, Randy, Daniel, and Virginia. Along with caring for the farm and family, he also worked full-time as a mechanic and took on various other jobs.

He married his second wife, Virginia Dombrowski, in 1980. They eventually settled in Atkinson, Nebraska, where he spent his last 40-plus years.

Duane enjoyed mechanical work, carpentry, and gardening. There wasn’t anything he couldn’t fix, build, or grow. He also enjoyed teaching others about these skills.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Flora; siblings Dick, June, and Florine; his first wife, Della; his son, Randy; his great-granddaughter, Mercedes; and his second wife, Virginia.

He is survived by his children: Rob (Amy) of Grove City, PA; Suze (the late Ben Privitt) of Sanford, NC; Dan (Eva) of Green River, Wyoming; and Ginger of Sanford, NC; his brother, Bill Walsh of Bushnell, FL; his sister, Judy Burke of Brooks, Georgia; 12 grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. He was loved and will be deeply missed.

One of his many favorite sayings was, “What seems hard by the yard is a cinch by the inch.”

Duane was cremated per his wishes, with graveside services to be held at Hillcrest Cemetery in Hickory, Pennsylvania. Service information will be announced at a later date.

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