Obituary: Duane Hamburger, 77, Pentwater

Duane Hamburger

Obituary: Duane Hamburger, 77, Pentwater

Duane Allan Hamburger, 77 of Pentwater, passed away at home October 17, 2018.  He was born August 21, 1941, in Lansing to Henry H. Hamburger and Ruth M. (Meyers) Hamburger.  After graduating from East Lansing High School in 1959, he attended Lansing Community College. He married Ellen Sue Waigle in 1966, and they resided in Lansing and Grand Ledge until they moved to Pentwater in 2001.

Duane loved being a father to their son Joe, and enthusiastically supported school activities and coached Joe’s soccer team.  The family enjoyed camping, cross-country skiing, and boating. They cruised Illinois rivers, Lake Michigan, and Lake Huron. Duane was a race car and hot rod enthusiast and referred to himself as a “gearhead”.  He participated in NHRA drag racing and SCCA sports car racing.

Duane retired from the State of Michigan Department of State, as director of Bureau of Information Systems in 1992.  Following his retirement, Duane worked as a consultant for several years, then retiring from that, began a gourmet coffee business.

After they built their Pentwater retirement home in the wooded dunes of the Duna Vista Association by Lake Michigan, Duane and Ellen enjoyed years of traveling in their motorhome with their dogs.  Duane participated in the Pentwater Wooden Boat Show with his 1941 Chris-Craft boat. His pride and joy was his ’57 Chevy. A special memory for him was participating in the 2012 Detroit to Arlington, Texas Hot Rod Power Tour in the Chevy with his son, Joe.  He also was an avid antique train collector. Duane will be greatly missed by their beloved dogs, Sheba and Miss Libby Lou.

Duane was active in the Duna Vista Association, serving on the board of directors over the years as president, vice-president, and board member.  He also held positions with the Pentwater Township planning commission and the Pentwater Township road committee. Duane was a member of the Sable Dunes Audubon Society, and attended the Pentwater Centenary United Methodist Church.

Duane is survived by his wife, Ellen, son Joseph (Jessica) of Whitehouse, Texas, and grandsons Marshal and Henry Hamburger.  Duane will also forever be remembered and loved by special family member, Rebecca Allen (Rodney) and granddaughter, Hope Elizabeth Wallace of Rockwall, Texas.  He is also survived by nephew Victor Hamburger, cousin Suzanne Parrish (Walter) and other cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents Ruth and Henry Hamburger, and brother, Romaine.  

Cremation has taken place and a Celebration of Life will be held at Pentwater Centenary  United Methodist Church, 82 South Hancock Street, Pentwater on October 30 at 1 p.m. Family will greet before the service starting at noon.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Michigan. Arrangements have been entrusted to Oak Grove Funeral Home of Ludington, www.oakgroveludington.com.