Past President Dr. Duane F. Zinkel passed away on August 19, 2015. He was 81 years old. Duane was president of our study unit from 1983 to 1987. He succeeding Edwin S. Hodge and was succeeded by Walter J. Balfour. More recently you will remember Duane as operating The Clearinghouse, where members could purchase both stamp and unusual chemistry related philatelic items. Duane was always quick to respond to requests and would ship orders with astounding promptness. When e-mail came along and request came electonically the response was even faster. The Clearinghouse ran for 78 issues, ending with the Fall issue of 2012. Here is a reprint of his biography from Volume 5 Page 97 - Winter 1983 edition of our journal Philatelia Chemica et Physica.

PRESIDENT - Duane F. Zinkel

Duane is a chemist with the U.S. Forest Service Products Laboratory in Madison Wisconsin, having received his undergraduate degree in Chemistry and Ph.D. in Biochemistry (1961), both from the University of Wisconsin. His research interests are in the chemistry and development of analytical methods for tree derived natural products, particuarly naval stores (rosin, turpentine, etc.) He has collected stamps for nearly forty years and began his Chemistry collection about 20 years ago. Other collecting interests are Tre-related topical and revenue stamps of great Britain and Commonwealth. Four of his children have Scouting, Figure Skating, and Fairy Tale topical collections.

His obituary ran in his hometown website Duane Zinkel Obituary Here is a synopsis of some of his accomplishments:

Duane was born on Aug. 11, 1934, in Manitowoc, WI and graduated from UW-Madison in 1961, with a Ph.D. in biochemistry, and married his wife, Loretta, right after graduation. He worked his entire career in naval stores research at the USDA Forest Products Lab in Madison, WI and was internationally recognized for his work.

He was auctioneering for the Badger Stamp Club, re-published a French revenue stamp book and donating all of the proceeds to St. Francis Mission, S,D., was av volunteer at St. Vincent's food pantry, helping Loretta bake thousands of elderberry muffins for Edgewood High School's Edgefest, running Boy Scout Troop 16's UW football parking at Blessed Sacrament Church, and even He was proud owner of one share of Green Bay Packers stock.

His family would ike to thank Home Health United Hospice for providing comfort for Duane in his final days. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to St. Vincent Food Pantry, 2033 Fish Hatchery Road, Madison WI 53713, or online at Link to St. Vincent Food Pantry. Please share your memories at www.CressFuneralService.com