Dr Ronald F Duska On Tuesday, December 25, 2018 – Christmas Day – Ronald F Duska, age 81, died peacefully alongside family in his home in Villanova, PA. Ronald was born in Erie, Pennsylvania March 1, 1937, the son of Felix and Josephine Ditrich Duska. He attended Holy Family Grade School and Cathedral Preparatory School.
He studied at Saint Mark’s Seminary, Erie, PA and Saint Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore, MD. He received his Bachelor’s degree from Gannon University, his Masters from Saint John’s University, and his PhD from Northwestern University. While attending Gannon, Ron met Barbara Stanopewicz and they married in August 1961.
While Ron was pursuing his Masters degree and his PhD in Philosophy, their first child, Michael was born. They moved to Havertown, PA and Michael was followed in quick succession by Matthew, Christopher, Ronald, Rachel and Mark. In 1981 his wife Barbara died.
After many years as a single dad, he married Brenda Shay December 29, 1990. They moved to Villanova, PA where their daughter Elizabeth was born in 1995. Ron began his long tenure at Rosemont College in 1963 where he was a professor of Philosophy.
He retired from Rosemont and became an Emeritus Professor in 1995. Ron then joined the faculty at American College where he held the Charles Lamont Post Chair of Ethics and the Professions from 1996 until 2011. He co-founded and served as the Director of the College’s Center for Ethics and there he created The Mitchell Forum, an annual meeting that brings together chief executives in the financial services industry with business ethicists.
He taught at The Wharton School, The University of Virginia, Pennsylvania State University, and St. John’s University. He was a senior fellow at the Olson Center of the University of Virginia, and a senior fellow at the Pedro Arrupe Center for Business Ethics at St. Joseph’s University. During retirement, he remained active as an adjunct professor in the graduate business schools of St. Joseph’s and Villanova Universities.
He served as a member of the board and past president and executive director of the Society of Business Ethics, the publisher of Business Ethics Quarterly. He is the author of numerous articles and books including Moral Development: A Guide to Piaget and Kohlberg; Contemporary Reflections on Business Ethics; Ethics and Corporate Responsibility: Theory Cases and Dilemmas; Rerum Novarum: 100 Years of Catholic Social Thought (A Symposium)and three editions of Accounting Ethics, which he co-authored with his wife, Brenda. Ron, with his fervent zest for life, and Brenda with her easy, calming manner, were a perfect match.
Their home quickly became a home to so many: late-night musicians, friends who needed a bed for the night (or two or three), family who found themselves “in-between” homes, travelers, the lonely, revelers, neighbors, friends of family, friends of friends – anyone looking for a hug, a smile, a cup of coffee, a glass of wine, a political debate, a lesson on Aristotle, a warm bed or a reminder that they were loved and valued – found what they needed with Ron and Brenda. Their open-house policy would be a tradition that was carried on every holiday, Sunday dinners, birthday celebrations, summer barbeques, and all the nights in between. Everyone was family in the Duska house,had seat at their table and were welcomed with open arms.
Music was always an important part of Ron’s life. He played saxophone and clarinet as a young man, honing his skills and eventually playing in a wedding band with men who became some of his best friends and allies – keeping him out of trouble, getting him into trouble, challenging him and inspiring him. His family followed his lead and many sang in a chorus or choir, took up instruments and played in bands, and still carry on that tradition today.
He was a member of the St John Neumann choir since 1987. Locals may know the “Duska Family Singers” from the annual Christmas Concert where Ron proudly stood with Brenda and many of his children, their spouses, and his grandchildren each year for a special song. The best musical times, however, were late nights at the Duska house when friends and family brought their instruments out for an impromptu jam session.
These occasions were seemingly spontaneous, but inevitable, always went into the wee hours and often ended with Ron closing out the night by leading everyone in a soulful rendition of Mac the Knife. Ronald is preceded in death by his parents, Felix and Josephine and his first wife, Barbara. He is survived by his wife Brenda Shay Duska, their children Elizabeth, Michael (Kim), Matthew (Nancy), Christopher (Linda), Ronald (Davelba), Rachael (William Strassheim), Mark (Maeve) their 22 grandchildren, his sister, Sister Mary Felice Duska RSM, and many extended family members.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Ron’s memory to Saint John Neumann Church in Bryn Mawr, PA. Visitation will be held at Saint John Neumann Church, 380 Highland Ln, Bryn Mawr, PA on Friday, December 28 from 7-9 and Saturday, December 29 from 9-10:30. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am Saturday.
Interment Calvary Cemetery.
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