Hampstead, NH's first Eagle Scout, David K. Duston, age 72, died Sunday at his home. The loyal son of Kenneth and Dorothy Whitely Duston and brother of Janet Lamson, David was class valedictorian of the last graduating class of Hampstead High School in '58. He attended MIT earning B.S and M.S. degrees in Electrical Engineering. He continued his education at RPI earning an EE PhD in 1969 while working at G.E. in Niskayuna, NY. He worked extensively with optics and laser technology in the '70's and held several patents for a laser smoke detector and precision laser drill press. He was also entrepreneurial starting 2 businesses-- Memorial Drive VW and White Mountain Outfitters. In 1976 he moved back to NH to manage Duston Oil Co, Inc. and grow his family's business. He was an active leader in the Oil Heat Council of NH and the New England Fuel Institute. Dave was instrumental in drafting state legislation to protect the environment from oil spills; he also showed dealers how to buy better group health insurance. As a businessman he was appreciative of loyal customers.
David loved adventures and people to share them. In his early years he enjoyed hiking, rock climbing, boating and skiing with his cousins. He continued these hobbies with his Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity brothers, then with his wife Beth Berglund. They raced sail boats, played golf, doubles tennis & bridge, and listened to Pops concerts. In their 31-year marriage they had two daughters - Karin Getschow (husband Christian, daughters- Carolyn, Cindy, & Clara) and Kristina Magnusson (husband Robert, daughters-Cori & Grace), who were often unwitting participants in these adventures. David served his community volunteering 27 years as an EMT-I and 3rd generation Hampstead fireman to save people and property. He taught boating safety and navigation classes in Power Squadron.
David continued his life's adventures with his wife of 18 years, Alice Carter Woods. They loved playing golf & bridge, traveling, ballroom dancing, and dining out with friends from Riverwood in Port Charlotte, FL each winter. Thanksgivings and Cape Porpoise, ME summers brought together all of Alice's children: Bill Woods (wife Alida, daughters- Sara & Christina), Deborah Ryan (husband Mark, sons- Daniel, Matthew & Andrew), Elizabeth Thurston (husband Lloyd, children- Lloyd, Jr., Mariah & Kenneth), and Kimberly Koller-Boutet (husband Sol, son-EJ, daughter-Keanna).
Everyone will miss the twinkle in his blue eyes when he was making mischief, pulling your leg, or wearing the Winnie-the-Pooh costume in Hampstead Fireman's Annual Christmas Parade.
A memorial service was held at Hampstead Congregational Church on Saturday, Nov 2 at 2:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, David suggested donations to one of these charitable organizations: Hampstead Congregational Church, 61 Main St, Hampstead, NH 03841, the Rockingham County 4-H Foundation, 113 North Rd, Brentwood, NH, 03833, the Hampstead Fireman's Association, 17 Little's Lane, Hampstead, NH 03841, or MIT Alumni Fund, 600 Memorial Dr, W98-2nd floor, Cambridge, MA 02139-4822, earmarked for financial aid or scholarships to NH students in his memory.