Kirby Keith Duncan

Kirby K. Duncan, a 31-year veteran of the Santa Barbara Police Department and a community volunteer, passed away at his home in Summerland on July 26, 2013 at peace and surrounded by love. He was 77.Kirby was born in Los Angeles but moved to Summerland at an early age. He and his brothers and sister enjoyed the freedom of roaming the hills and spending days on end at Summerland beach. He attended the one-room Summerland grammar school and later went on to Carpinteria High School. There he ran track, played basketball and football. Kirby loved appearing in the school's drama productions. During those years he made lifelong friends, many of whom still live in the area.After graduating from high school, Kirby joined the Army as a Military Police officer. After his Army service in Germany, he returned to California and joined the Santa Barbara Police Department in 1958.Serving the community as a police officer was one of the great loves of his life. He worked his way through the ranks, and took most pleasure in overseeing a 10-officer motorcycle squad as a sergeant, serving as "Officer Joe" in Santa Barbara's Safety Town bicycle safety class for children, and coordinating with Secret Service and FBI agents whenever President Ronald Reagan would visit Santa Barbara on his way to the Western White House. He retired as a captain in 1989. He held love and respect for his fellow officers with him all the days of his life. He was an avid outdoorsman. In 1950, his Uncle Con Brooks introduced him to the Eastern Sierras and the endless fishing the area provided. Kirby returned to the Sierras to fish there at least once a year for the rest of his life. He loved to camp, hunt, collect gemstones, and make repeated trips to Alaska to fish for salmon. Kirby continued to serve his community after his retirement. He was a president of the Downtown Optimist Club, an organization charged with providing hope and vision to bring out the best in kids. He was also vice president of the board of the Neal Taylor Nature Center at Cachuma Lake. The center is dedicated to engaging children and their families in discovering their own backyards and connecting with nature. He enjoyed woodworking and was an accomplished silversmith. He and his wife, Judy, also enjoyed hosting English language students from around the world. Kirby was a man of great integrity and an endless capacity for love. Kirby is survived by his wife of 41 years, Judy; daughter Kimberly and son-in-law Raymond; grandson Ryan; brothers Barry (Sandy) and Dana (Barbara); sister Deborah and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. A memorial service will be held Saturday, August 24th at First Presbyterian Church, 21 East Constance Ave. at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers please make a contribution to the Neal Taylor Nature Center, 2265 Highway 154, Santa Barbara, CA 93105 or to the Santa Barbara Police Association, 215 E. Figueroa St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/newspress/obituary.aspx?n=kirby-keith-duncan&pid=166381152#fbLoggedOut

Kirby Keith Duncan

December 3, 1935 - July 26, 2013