William "Bill" D. Duckert

William (Bill) D. Duckert, 79, passed away unexpectedly on March 12, 2026, at the family cottage in Presque Isle, Wisconsin. Although Bill had recently received the extraordinary news from his oncologist that he was considered cured of pancreatic cancer, he died suddenly from an unrelated cardiac event, shocking all who loved him. Bill was born September 9, 1946, in Eau Claire, Wisconsin to parents Robert F. and Joyce (Kleckner) Duckert. His early years were spent in Eau Claire and Neillsville, Wisconsin, and Escanaba, Michigan, before moving to Janesville, Wisconsin where he graduated from Janesville High School in 1964. Bill was a proud Badger alumnus, earning a B.S. in Chemistry, an M.S. in Water Chemistry, and a B.S. in Civil Engineering from UW-Madison. He married Jane Dunwiddie, the "girl next door," on August 14, 1976, and together they raised a family and enjoyed almost 50 years of marriage. The family would like to thank the medical staff of SSM Health/Dean Clinic, especially Dr. Ryan Porter and Dr. Greg Matzke, for Bill's care after his cancer diagnosis in 2020. Bill was deeply proud to participate in Dr. Neeha Zaidi's clinical research study at the Kimmel Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, Maryland, investigating the use of immunotherapy and a KRAS+ inhibitor vaccine following his surgery. In his case, the vaccine demonstrated a meaningful immune response, with his T-cells actively identifying and attacking cancer cells. Bill believed strongly that anything he could do via a clinical trial that may benefit future patients gave added value to his own life. A special thank you also to Maureen Berg, RN, who coordinated Bill's care during his many trips to Johns Hopkins. Bill is survived by his wife, Jane, his daughters, Katherine E. Palmer, DVM (Nick Gruszynski), and Sarah (Scott) Bockhop, and his five grandchildren, Vanessa, Rowan, Silas, Sparrow, and Soren; his brother, Thomas (Mary) Duckert; his brothers-in-law, David Dunwiddie and Josey Paul; and his mother-in-law, Elizabeth Dunwiddie; as well as cousins, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents and his father-in-law, Alan W. Dunwiddie, Jr. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that gifts in memory of William Duckert be directed to support the pancreatic cancer research of Dr. Neeha Zaidi at the Kimmel Cancer Center. Checks may be made payable to Johns Hopkins Medicine indicating the gift's designation and mailed to: Johns Hopkins Medicine, Attn: Kimmel Cancer Center Development Office, 750 East Pratt Street, Suite 1700, Baltimore, MD 21202. Gifts may also be made online indicating the same designation at: https://secure.jhu.edu/form/kimmel. A private family celebration of Bill's life will be held at a later date. "To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die." – Thomas Campbell

William "Bill" D. Duckert

September 9, 1946 - March 12, 2026