Former councilman dies at 65

Jenny Marder

Henry Duke, a former City Councilman and community activist, died

Saturday of complications related to kidney failure. He was 65.

Duke served on the Huntington Beach City Council from 1972 to 1976

and as mayor pro tem from 1973 to 1974.

Before joining the council, he served on the Planning Commission

from 1968 to 1972. He was also a member of the Junior Chamber of

Commerce and an active member of the Amigos de Bolsa Chica.

He was “drafted” into service on the City Council in 1972 by a

grass-roots group at a time when the council was in the hands of

developers, former City Councilwoman Grace Winchell said.

He represented the interests of the residents, she said, calling

him a breath of fresh air.

“Apartments in Huntington Beach were sprouting up like crazy, and

he brought a sense of future and quality of life for residents to the

council,” Winchell said. “He brought these interests to the fore.”

While on the council, Duke focused on developing parks and

maintaining the beaches and the library, Winchell said.

Friends described him as enthusiastic, amiable and hard working,

with a good sense of humor.

“He was always energetic and getting involved in projects,” said

Tom Livengood, friend and fellow member of the Junior Chamber of

Commerce.

Duke was born in El Paso, Texas, but spent most of his adult life

in Huntington Beach and his last 10 years in Newport Beach.

He graduated from the UC Santa Barbara with a bachelor’s in

political science and later worked as an investment broker at Dean

Witter and Co.

He is survived by his wife, four sons, three sisters and six

grandchildren.

“He was always very outgoing, very charming and assertive,” his

son Derek Duke said. “He was a very strong and powerful man.”

Services will be held at 11 a.m. today at St. Bonaventure Church,

16400 Springdale St. in Huntington Beach.