Duane Romberg Obituary

Duane Allen Romberg

February 7, 1944 - May 4, 2025

Peters Creek, Alaska - Duane Allen Romberg, beloved husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, and friend, passed away on May 4, 2025 at the age of 81 in his home in Peters Creek, Alaska. His final year was spent at home with his family and his time was made more at ease and comfortable by the deeply compassionate nurses of Providence Hospice Alaska.

Duane was born in Sumas, Washington on February 7, 1944. He was the 6th of 7 children of parents Ralph Romberg and Dorothy Debont. He is survived by his wife Janet (Thomas) Romberg with whom he was happily married for 59 ½ years, sister Marjorie Wymer, daughter Tina Romberg, son Wayne Romberg, granddaughter Hunter Romberg, and grandsons Kingman Romberg and Christopher Romberg, sister-in-laws Carla White and Jeanette Wilcox, brother-in-law Joedy Thomas, and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his sisters Judy White, Gertie Lapinsky, and Dorothy Womack, and brothers John Romberg and Ralph "Buddy" Romberg, and sister-in-law Arlene Thomas.

Duane's family farmed their land for self sufficiency, growing vegetables and raspberries and raising livestock. After graduating from Nooksack Valley High School in 1962, he enlisted in the US Army in 1963 where he specialized in food service. He met his future wife while on leave in Sumas in 1964 and they married one year later on November 17, 1965. His military career included 3 tours in Vietnam, 1 tour in Korea, and 2 tours in Germany, once with his family. He earned high praise for his skills and dedication to quality in the kitchen even when times were tough and resources were limited. At one point, he was even requested specifically by a high ranking colonel to be his personal cook.

Near the end of his military career, he was sent to the Army Inspector General School in Washington DC, and then Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas. While there, he quickly realized his home was Alaska and soon thereafter submitted his request for retirement after 20 proud years of service and returned to his family in Eagle River, Alaska to start his next chapter in life.

After his military career, he continued his work in food service. He worked at various locations around Alaska including drilling rigs on the North Slope, and was awarded Food Service Employee of the Year at the State of Alaska Palmer Correctional Facility.

Duane was fondly referred to by his wife as a social butterfly, and lived to enjoy a good chuckle. He spent many of his retirement days with his fellow veterans and friends at the VFW #9785, American Legion #33, and Elks #2682. He loved games of chance and competition and was a lifelong fan of the Mariners and Seahawks. He lovingly restored his brother John's 1965 Mercury Park Lane convertible and his father Ralph's 1968 Ford Galaxy after their passing.

Duane is remembered by his family as a master cook and baker, who specialized in classic American food. He frequently baked cookies for his friends and family and was often called "The Cookie Man." He will always be remembered for making sure there was room under his roof for family no matter what. He was a loved and cherished friend and family man, and will be missed by many.

His remains will be laid to rest at Greenacres in Ferndale, Washington.