Flowers of the Forrest
A tribute to our fallen comrades
Larry MacDuff - July 24,1946 to Oct 14, 2009
Larry MacDuff, 63, died of cancer, at his home in Port Ludlow, WA.
Born in 1946, to Frank Selby and Mary Elizabeth (Mueller) MacDuff in Indianapolis, IN, he was raised in the cities of Anderson and Indianapolis. He graduated from Scecina Memorial High School in Indianapolis in 1964, and in 1966 joined the U.S. Army, in which he served as a Spc. 5. He then served in the Army Reserves from 1969 to 1972, with a tour in Korea.
Larry attended Indiana University School of Business in Bloomington, IN., graduating in 1974with a batchelor's degree. He then became an employee of Dupont Corp., a position that took him to Chicago; Wilmington, DE.; Aurora, CO.; and Aptos, CA.
On Jan. 13, 1984, he married Karen Michael Tovik in Santa Cruz, CA. He retired in 2002, and the MacDuffs moved to Port Ludlow in 2004.
According to his family, Larry loved the Lord, his family and friends, and the wilderness. He was proud of his service in the Army as well as his Scottish and German heritage.
He was a member of St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church, the Veterans Association, the Scottish-American Military Society, the Washington Trails Association, the Port Ludlow Hiking Club, the Clan MacDuff Society and the Sierra Club.
Survivors include wife Karen; son Anthony Leso; daughter Roseanne Leso; grandson Giovonn Leso; brother Chris MacDuff; and sisters Anne Hall, Gail McDonald (Steve), Eileen Wall (Kirk), Theresa Johnson (Phill) and Catherine Wyler.
A memorial Mass of Christian burial took place at 12:05 p.m. on Thursday, Oct 22 at St. Mary's in Port Townsend. The Rev. John Topal, S.J., officiated. A bagpiper performed beginning at 1130 a.m. A reception followed at Port Ludlow Bay Club, 120 Spinnaker Place.
Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church, 1335 Blaine St., Port Townsend, WA. 98368, or the American Cancer Society, 2120 First Ave. N., Seattle, WA 98109.
Post 1921 Annual Dinner
Tribute to the late Larry MacDuff
By: Fran McVey
On February 27, 2010, Post 1921 held its Annual Formal Dinner. This year, the event was held at the National Steinbeck Museum in Salinas, California. The Post dedicated this year’s dinner to the late Larry MacDuff. Fran McVey presented a moving tribute to Larry, recognizing the many contributions that he made during the years he was a member of Post 1921. Later, after having retired to Washington State, Larry became the Regional Commander in that area. Larry was remembered as fun-loving, popular and extremely dedicated to SAMS.
Two large photo boards depicting Larry participating in various Post activities had been prepared, using photographs taken by Sherry Oppenheim over the years. This backdrop helped members in recalling Larry’s many contributions, as well as some humorous stories. Post 1921 wears it’s Post Patch on the right sleeve of uniform shirts. This patch was designed and produced by Larry. For a time, the Post had license plate frames. These too were designed and produced by Larry. Larry came up with the design of high quality shot glasses and had these produced with the SAMS logo etched into the glass, which were then given away at that year’s Annual Dinner and the remainder later sold throughout the Games season.
The Post has 3 large swords that are displayed in a blue-lined wooden case. At the dinner we recalled how this case came to be. The Post had provided an honor guard for an man who served in WW I, and we were requested to provide this service. As it turned out, the family were sword makers in another state. These 3 swords were gifted to the Post as a thank-you. One of Larry’s friends, a retired high school woodshop teacher constructed a magnificent display case. A somewhat humorous anecdote was shared of Larry and Doug Kenyon shopping for just the perfect fabric to line the case. They went to a local, large fabric store, taking the sword with them. The sword has a red lining at the handle and they wanted the perfect color to offset this in the case. Many women looked worried and askance at these two men walking around with sword in hand, till they found just the right fabric at the far end of the store.
The Post also has a glass display case outlining the life of John Paul Jones, considered by many as the father of the modern Navy. Post member, Dave Hall, had researched the history of Jones and accurately reflected key events in the display case. During Dave’s research, he discovered that Jones was in fact a MacDuff. Therefore, when he presented the display to the Post he did so in honor of Larry and the MacDuff clan. The Post uses this case as a display at all Games events as well.
During the dinner, we also fondly recalled when Larry participated in a Bonny Knees Contest. Forever after, he was saddled with the nickname Fluff MacDuff, by Jo Lawrence, since he had the furriest knees.
Near the end of the tribute, Fran McVey led the Post in a final toast to Larry, followed by pipe tunes by Chuck Jamison. After the dinner ended, led by Doug Kenyon, many members who remembered Larry, walked a couple of blocks to the favorite pub where Doug and Larry shared many pints of micro-brew, and toasted him one last time, again accompanied by Chuck.
Larry was much-loved and sorely missed.
Richard (Dick) E. Combie - 2/2/1928 - 2/14/2010
Dick was raised in Somerville, MA until joining the Army in 1946. He was a direct decendent of the Mayflower on his mother's side of the family.
While serving as a Drum Major, in the 1st U.S. Army band, he met is wife, Madeline. He moved back to Somerville and attended Boston University. Dick had four children, Mark, Frederick, Stuart & Sylvia. Dick continued his military service in the Army Reserve, including being a graduate of the first class of the U.S. Army Seargents Major Academy. He was appointed Command Seargent Major in 1976.
Dick became interested in things Scottish when he played a role in Brigadoon in the San Jose Light Opera. He was Artistic Director for the Mt. Veiw Caberet Theater for 10 years. In 1989, when the Chamber of Commerce in the City of Campbell, CA announced it was ceasing sponsorship of the Campbell Games, Dick ensured that the Games were continued under the auspices of Clan Chattan. Dick was Chieftan of the Games in 1989 and 1990. Dick again saved the Campbell Highland Games in 1993 when he and 2 other couples, Jim & Carol Suttie and Bob & Becky Chessman, formed the Campbell Highland Games Association, Inc.
For the next 6 years, Dick was Chieftan and from that point forward was an officer of the Association. He maintained the title of Chieftan Emeritus. In addition to SAMS, Dick was a life member in Veteran's of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Clan Chattan and the American Cribbage Congress, and the South Bay (San Francisco Bay Area) Scottish Society.
At the American Legion, Dick met "the love of his life," Mathilda (Tillie) Wascher and lived with her for 20 years in San Jose, CA. Dick was interred at San Joaquin Valley National Cemetary in Santa Nella, CA on February 25, 2010.
There was a military firing squad and Post 1921 provided the 7 member Honor Guard/Color Guard with one of the SAMS pipers, Ken Bain from Fresno, CA.
Dick will be missed from the Greater Bay Area Scottish Community and SAMS.
Fran McVey
SAMS Post 1921
R.C. Region 16