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William D. Duncombe, passed away in Oregon on Saturday, May 11, surrounded by his loving family. He spent his career as a professor at Syracuse University's Maxwell School in the department of Public Administration and International Affairs. His death followed a brief, yet courageous, battle with cancer.
Bill had an international reputation for his research on education finance, property taxes, public budgeting, and financial management. He was widely published and the recipient of numerous awards, among them the Aaron Wildavsky Award for lifetime achievement (2009). Bill was passionate about the need for school finance reform and made important scholarly contributions to public debates in California, Kansas, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, and Texas.
Bill was born on June 11, 1955 in Columbus, Ohio to Syd and Mary Duncombe and spent his youth growing up in Moscow, Idaho along with his three surviving siblings. His love for the outdoors was nurtured in the landscapes of Idaho. Family vacations in the Sawtooth Mountains spawned years of hiking from the Cascades to the Adirondacks. He took almost as much pleasure in making the plans and loved nothing better than perusing a good map, or designing a family vacation, be it backpacking or a trip to Spain.
Most dear to Bill's heart was his work with students. He put as much effort and thoughtful consideration into giving his students detailed feedback as he did in designing and completing his own research agenda. His office door was always open; often spending hours at a time with one student, or a Friday evening running a review session.
Bill thought well of everyone and was always ready to help, be it helping a student understand regression analysis, teaching a class for a colleague, fully participating in departmental and student committees, coaching soccer, moving furniture for a friend, or shoveling a driveway for a neighbor. Bill was never satisfied with a partial effort. He tackled everything full bore!
Bill dedicated himself to his work, rising by 4 a.m. every day. If a "Hardest Worker" award was being doled out, Bill would win it every time. But, as a dear friend and colleague commented, "Yes, Bill was a hard worker, but beyond that, he was effective!"
Bill's playful sense of humor was with him until the end, when a doctor asked (pointing to Bill's son, Christopher), "Who is this guy?" Bill's response was "He's got my back." Bill was a dear husband, father, brother, and friend whose time with us was prematurely cut short.
Bill will be remembered for his kindness, generosity, dedication, and many acts of selflessness. He was married to Julie Thomas, his best friend and companion for 35 years. Together they had two sons, David and Christopher. All four family members were alumni of Syracuse University.
Services will be held Friday, June 7 at 2:30 p.m. in Hendricks Chapel, on the campus of Syracuse University. A reception will follow in Eggers Hall, Room 220.
Contributions: We invite you to honor Bill's life by supporting future M.P.A. students with a donation to the William Duncombe Memorial Graduate Scholarship, Maxwell School of Syracuse University, 200 Eggers Hall, Syracuse NY 13244. Alternatively, you can donate on-line at https://secure.syr.edu/giving/maxwell_giving.aspx. Please select "Other" on the drop-down menu of purposes, and then put "William Duncombe Memorial Graduate Scholarship" in the Comments box.
Link to Syracuse University obituary: http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/news.aspx?id=107374186876
Date of Death: May 11, 2013
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
6 Entries
Dr Duncombe was my favorite professor in Graduate School at UGA. He changed the course of my professional career and I am eternally grateful. I wish I could tell him now.
Margaret Schuelke
September 21, 2023
I am very sad to learn that Bill passed away. I have been only shortly in professional contact with Bill and only by email but valued a lot his helpful advices and kindness. This was a great support in publishing our article. I wish his family all support and guidance in this difficult period.
Bas van Aarle
August 27, 2013
I knew Bill as a professor. He was fair, kind and very knowledgeable. Mostly, I remember the extra time he took to talk with me about my work, my career in education and my family. He was incredibly supportive. Future students will never know what a wonderful professor they have missed.
Melissa Price
May 31, 2013
It seems that Bill did a lot of good things in his life...maybe he got a lot of that from being in Boy Scouts...where I also remember him being active. That's probably where I have my best memories of him.
Keith Gunther
May 23, 2013
Bill was something to behold, even in high school. What a wonderful life he led and a legacy for all who were lucky to have him in their lives. You're all in our prayers here on, and off, thehe Palouse.
Sandra Mattox Ankney
May 20, 2013
So sad to hear about Bill. Even though I didn't know him well, he was someone I respected. I pray Julie and the rest of the family will find comfort.
Sandy Wood
May 18, 2013
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