Saint Joseph bus driver bids farewell to students and faculty at Ogden Catholic HS

Courtesy photo/Carole Burbridge Layman, Saint Joseph Catholic Schools

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Dick Duncan, who has driven the St. Joseph Catholic High School bus for 12 years, has retired. Photo and article courtesy of Carole Burbridge Layman, Saint Joseph Catholic Schools

OGDEN — For Dick Duncan, the end of a 30-year career of service at Hill Air Force Base was not so much a retirement as it was a job change.

The time was the late 1980s Saint Joseph Catholic High School had acquired its first school bus, a surplus from Davis County, but a dependable driver was needed. The school’s parents and coaches transported athletes from the 1A school in Ogden to the far reaches of Utah – places like Manila, Randolph, Dugway, Wendover and Tabiona – to compete against similar-sized schools.

Duncan, who was retiring from civil service, wasn’t ready to retire, so he took on the job of bus driver. The father of five sons who graduated from SJCHS, Duncan wasn’t just an ardent fan of the school’s athletics, he was passionate about the school’s mission. As a bus driver, he was a mentor and fan who happened to have a commercial drivers license. But now, after 12 years, the fan with the CDL is stepping down.

Norm Allred, principal of SJCHS, said it will be difficult to find anyone with Duncan’s responsibility, dedication and compassion to take his place.

When Duncan’s retirement was announced, students and faculty presented him with many awards and recognition. He was with the students and shared in their jubilation at winning; however, perhaps more importantly, he always had a consoling word and provided support and encouragement during those long drives home following a difficult defeat.

Allred said he is thankful and appreciative of Duncan’s many years of remarkable service.

In retirement, Duncan and his wife, Fran, are excited about this new phase of their lives as they plan to do extensive traveling. They just returned from a trip to Hawaii and they will soon be traveling to Europe. And, although Dick Duncan is no longer the bus driver, he remains the Jayhawks’ biggest fan.