Daniel D. Duricy

Daniel D. Duricy, Miami University professor emeritus, died November 19, 2016, at LifeCare in Sycamore Medical Center, Miamisburg, Ohio, after a sudden illness. He was 82 years old. Dan is survived by his wife Carol, son David, and three brothers: Walter (Lilian) of Niles, Ohio, Joseph (Angela) of Salt Lake City, and Arthur (Irene) of Apex, North Carolina. Dan was born in 1934 in Warren, Ohio to Michael and Mary (Yusko) Duricy. He attended Niles public schools where he discovered his aptitude for teaching. During Dan's freshman year at Niles McKinnley High School, a teacher asked if he would like to run the class. Dan replied, “Yes, sir.” The incident made the local paper. Dan then attended Bowling Green University where he graduated cum laude while simultaneously earning his Bachelors of Science in Education, and Bachelors of Science in Business Administration. His university honors include induction in Omicron Delta Kappa, Phi Eta Sigma, Beta Gamma Sigma, and Pi Omega Pi. Dan ran track, lettered in Cross Country, and played saxophone in the Bowling Green Symphonic Band. Dan made a sensation selling chips, beverages and pies directly to students before university concessions objected and shut down the business. Between semesters, he and brother Joe played in dance bands. Harvard and Miami University each offered Dan a place in their graduate programs. In 1958, Miami University awarded Dan a teaching graduate assistantship. He received his Masters of Business Administration, and began teaching business courses in accountancy, short hand, and typing. Starting in 1959, he trained with IBM at Endicott, and subsequently taught Miami's earliest business computing and programming classes. He tirelessly advocated the use of computers in education and business. During these first years at Miami, Dan played in the original Campus Owls, and took flying lessons at the Miami University Airport. He earned his pilot's license after landing at Lunken on the same day President Eisenhower arrived there. He rose to assistant professor in 1963. Miami named Dan chairman of the Department of Secretarial Science in 1971. Dan then created and chaired the Department of Office Administration in the School of Applied Science with his offices, lab and classrooms located in Kreger Hall. He became an associate professor in 1976. Dan served on countless university committees, counseled hundreds of students, and taught on all three Miami campuses. Dan once prided himself on never missing a graduation; his cap and gown hung ready in his office. Dan married Carol Weitlauf in 1964 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Oxford, Ohio. They made Hamilton, Ohio their home for the next fifty-two years. Dan retired from Miami University in 2004. During retirement, he enjoyed working the polls, tending his koi pond, driving historic cars with his son, listening to classical music, reading naval and Air Force history, talking politics, and helping his wife decorate weddings, Christmas and special events. He still had lessons to teach, and gave freely of his wisdom to anyone who needed advice. Despite having lived a full and influential life, Dan died too soon. He is sadly missed by all who knew and loved him. Private services will be held at the convenience of the family.

Tributes

Daniel D. Duricy

September 20, 1934 - November 19, 2016