The profile this month is of John Duggan, our illustrious former editor and
publisher of the Bridge News, and my partner in bridge and marriage for
52 years.
John was born in Kansas City, Missouri, where he lived for about 45
years. He was the baby brother to four older sisters. The Duggan family
played many card games. John played Hearts, Pitch, Go Fish and Pinochle with his
family and friends. He didn't attempt bridge until he enrolled at Kansas
University. John majored in Engineering Physics, graduating in 1951.
He began his career in engineering as Chief of Ballistics at Sunflower Ordnance
Works, near Lawrence, Kansas. While taking a few graduate courses at
KU, he met me. On our first date we washed John's car. It was love
at first sight and we married six months later.
We have three daughters who were reared in, and near, Kansas City. We began
to play a little bridge after our second daughter was born. John
was president of the duplicate club, sponsored by The Bendix Corporation, where
he worked. We also enjoyed volunteer work with the adult literacy programs
in the city, and we organized a science club and fair at the school where I
taught. We received a Commendation from the President of the United States
for "…your fine work in math, science and remedial education programs…"
After several moves to interesting places, including Wichita Falls (Texas),
New Orleans, Los Angeles, and San Jose, we retired to Ashland in 1988. We
played a little bridge in most all of those cities, and we are able to play more
often now that we are retired. We play once or twice per week at local
clubs and attend two or three out-of-town tournaments per year. We were
chosen Good Will Ambassadors by our Unit board in 2003.
John has had a lifelong interest in reading and writing poetry, teaching math
and science, making home-brewed wine/champagne/beer, practicing his drums, and,
of course, playing his favorite game— bridge.
For the past ten years John was involved with the publication of our monthly
newsletter, Bridge News, which was distributed to members in the Rogue
Valley. The newsletter was replaced by our bridge website in January 2006,
with John Gerling as webmaster.
John's opinion on how to increase attendance and encourage others to join us
involves simply good manners. "Think of a duplicate bridge session as a
social occasion or event, and act accordingly," he says. "This means
greeting new people, and providing refreshments for the players."
Many thanks, John, for your contributions to our bridge organization.
