In Memoriam

Taylor French ’51, of Sarasota, Florida, formerly of Peoria, passed away Thursday, Jan. 14, 2016. He was 88.
 
Previously, Taylor lived in Peoria, Illinois, where he had been a managing partner for Northwestern Mutual since 1959.
 
While at Northwestern Mutual, he earned his Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) and Chartered Financial Consultant (CHFC) designations. In Peoria, Taylor served as the chairman of the board for the United Way, Lakeview Museum, First Federated Church, South Side Mission and the Central Illinois CLU Association. Taylor was also involved with the Peoria Community Foundation and the YWCA.
For more than 40 years, he was a member of the Country Club of Peoria, where he enjoyed golf, tennis and good fellowship with his many friends.
 
Taylor was born in Ottawa, Illinois, on April 2, 1927. His parents were John Melvin French and Sarah “Sally” Taylor French. He graduated from Ottawa Township High School and was promptly drafted in to the Army.
 
After returning from World War II, Taylor went to Northwestern, where he graduated in 1951. After college, Taylor married Joanne Trenchard of DeLand, Illinois. They had three sons.
 
Taylor is survived by his wife of 39 years, Corrine (Lavender) from Ottawa; and his sister, Barbara “Bobi” Sanderson of Sarasota.
 
He is also survived by his sons, Taylor “Bon” Bondurant (Holly), Strawn Trenchard (Beth) and Penn Hossack (Michelle); two stepchildren, Clayton Harbeck (Ellen), and Claire (Dave) Babrowski; seven grandchildren; and a niece and nephew.
 

Rich Damish ’85, of Palatine, Illinois passed away on June 10, 2015. He was 56.
 
Rich was the youngest of three children born to Richard J. and Jean (Larson) Damisch on April 27, 1959 in Evanston, Illinois. After graduating from New Trier High School in 1977, he attended Northwestern University and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in industrial engineering in 1981 and later, an MBA from Kellogg.
 
Richard married Sharon Milliff of Oakland, California in 1991. He was a dedicated and supportive husband and father. Richard was a finance professional and held various positions during his career.
 
Richard remained active in Boy Scouting throughout his lifetime. He received the distinguished Eagle Scout Award at age 13 and was later awarded the Order of the Arrow Vigil. He was a member of the General Society of Mayflower Descendants.
 
Richard is survived by his wife of 23 years, Sharon (Milliff) Damisch; children Bridget and Timothy of Palatine, Illinois; father Richard J. Damisch of Northbrook, Illinois; brother Kent (Kim) Damisch of Indianapolis, Indiana; and sister Diane (Craig) Miller of Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Denis Duckworth ’79, of São Paulo, Brazil, died of lung cancer on Jan. 8, 2016. He was 62.