Dr. Duane Allen Scogin, 60, of Portage, Mich., passed away peacefully Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2013, with his family at his side after a brave five-and-a-half-year battle with cancer.
Duane was born Jan. 1, 1953, in Pekin, the son of Kenneth and Shirley Crawford Scogin. Duane married Deborah Foote Scogin on May 31, 1975, and was a devoted, loving husband for 38 years.
He was a talented chemist, but his family was his greatest joy. He was the proud father of four and grandfather of three. Surviving are his wife, Deborah Scogin; their four children, Matthew (Sarah) Scogin of New York, N.Y., Timothy (fiancé Jennifer Maine) Scogin of Detroit, Mich., Alice (Carman) Goodrich of Kalamazoo, Mich., and Samuel Scogin of Portage, Mich.; three grandchildren, Sophie, Lucy and Oliver Scogin; two sisters and one brother, Carol (Al) Oliver of Washington, Nancy (Dan) Kuhl of Slidell, La., and Dale (Jackie) Scogin of Peoria; sister-in-law, Leslie (David) Begnoche of Portage, Mich.; and several nieces and nephews.
Duane earned his PhD in biophysical chemistry from the University of Illinois in 1981. Following completion of his doctorate, Duane held fellowship positions at Indiana University Medical School and Purdue School of Pharmacy. In March of 1985, Duane moved to Kalamazoo, Mich., to work as a scientist for The Upjohn Co. He continued his professional career with Pharmacia-Upjohn and then Pfizer Corporation. Early in his career, he made major contributions to the development and production of Atgam, – a drug used primarily in kidney transplant patients. As a senior scientist, Duane helped see many projects move towards completion and the world is undoubtedly a better place as a result of his work.
However, Duane will be better remembered for his life outside the lab. He was a sensitive, gentle spirit. He always saw himself as part of God’s plan, and his greatest desire was to reflect God’s love to others. He was a member of Threads Church in Portage where he participated in the mentoring program working at Milwood Elementary in Kalamazoo.
Duane also found opportunities to share his ability to explain complicated mathematical concepts in understandable terms by volunteering at STAR Family Literacy.
Through the years, Duane served his church as a deacon and Sunday school teacher; also, he was currently leading a community group dedicated to learning and practicing how to live life as a Christ-follower in today’s world.
He will also be remembered for his love of trains, photography, music and Indy car racing.
A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, at Threads Church, 3600 W. Milham Ave., Portage, Mich., with Pastor Chris Augustine officiating. Interment will follow at Portage Central Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Portage Chapel, 411 E. Centre Ave., Portage, Mich.