In Memoriam
Richard Duncan, 76,
Photographer known
for showing
Otsego County’s beauty
COOPERSTOWN – Richard Duncan, 76, whose photographs defined the Otsego Lake region for a generation, died Thursday, May 20, 2021, at his home near Arnold’s Lake.
Duncan published three photo books, “Otsego Lake,” “Cooperstown” and “Otsego County,” in collaboration with The Fenimore Art Museum. An updated second edition of “Cooperstown” was published in 2018.
Duncan was born June 9, 1944, in Catskill, to Robert W. Duncan and Ruth H. Atwater. Survivors include his beloved companion since 1998, Pam Welch.
Raised in Ithaca, where he attended a one-room school house, and Sherburne, he graduated from The Manlius School, the military academy near Syracuse, and pursued a career in the arts in California, Boston and, in recent years, Otsego County.
He attended the Rhode Island School of Design, then studied painting, photography and even the guitar, focusing on Flamenco music. He also studied Aikido for years and most recently focused on Taoism.
In 1997, while living in Boston, he was invited to spend a weekend in Cooperstown, and the region’s beauty and the hospitality he encountered convinced him to move here full time.
A memorial service is anticipated in June.
A complete obituary will appear in this week’s editions of The Freeman’s Journal and Hometown Oneonta.
I am sad to hear this. Richard took my photograph just last year. I may have been one of his last portrait customers. I will cherish those photos forever. He was a very talented and wise man interested in Chinese philosophy.
So sorry to hear of Richard’s passing. Pam, We know there is a big hole in your heart. Love, Shade and Pati
A nice guy, with a great eye for the beauties of this world. He will be missed.