You only needed to have met him once and you would have a complete understanding of why they called him “Mr. Duncan.”
A no nonsense, matter of fact, get to the point, dominant personality that could slap you around ever so gently and do it with a smile on his face the entire time. And the really cool thing about him was that after he laced you up, he left you with enough fighting spirit to keep on doing what you’re doing…but better.
“Cool” would be one of many words to describe Len Duncan. Confidant, assured, informed, savvy, fair and most importantly, intelligent. The man knew his business and what it took to do it, thus making him not only one of Pittsburgh and Western Pa.’s all time great leaders, but one of the nation’s as well.
And that’s not overstated…Len not only took over the reins of the nationally recognized Pittsburgh Marathon, but did so after race director Larry Kuzmanko had a parting of the ways with the city administration.
There were some who thought that would mean the end of the marathon, but they didn’t know “Mr. Duncan.” The race never missed a beat and went on to continued national prominence.
The same can be said about many of the projects Len created or operated for the city of Pittsburgh, including Recreation Center Development, the Annual Pittsburgh Great Race and the Jesse Owens Track and Field Competition, just to name a few.
But back to the “Cool” part of Len Duncan. And trust me cool fit…in a nice “Old School” kind of way.
Now his lovely wife Anne and his daughter JoAnn will tell you he was a ruggedly handsome man (They will tell you that. Not me. Smile) that was always sharp. Always the right outfit at the right time…you know…“clean”! The clothes, the style, the clean cut, the jewelry and of course the smile. Always, the smile.
On Sept. 6, we said goodbye to the vessel that was Leonard R. Duncan Sr., but all that he was will live on forever. Husband to Annastine, father to JoAnn, Lynnice (now deceased), Leonard Jr. and Eric, mentor to me and hundreds like me, as well as innovator, director and leader.
He was a man that served his God, his country, his family and his community well. The man they called “Mr. Duncan” with respect and reverence will live on in the continued history of this city for years to come.
As the sun sets on his initial journey, as it assuredly will for all of us, you can be sure that when the sun rises in the morning among the heavenly clouds, you will hear a strong voice holler “Four” as the ball takes flight and know that the man resting on his club with the smile of accomplishment on his face is “Mr. Duncan”!
