DUDAN, Peter

The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Wednesday, April 14, 2010 Peter Dudan, born on March 30, 1920, in Paterson, N.J., to immigrant parents, died March 28, 2010, peacefully at home in Walnut Creek, Calif., at the age of 89. Peter was a self-made man who overcame many obstacles presented to him in his time. As a young teenager, his selection by the Boys Club of New York to represent his country in an exchange program with the French Boy Scouts heralded the success he was to enjoy throughout his life. As well as being a successful student, Peter showed his leadership as captain of the varsity baseball and basketball teams throughout his years at Phillips Academy at Andover and later at Amherst College where his fraternity was Pi Upsilon. Athletics was one of his greatest enjoyments throughout his lifetime, whether a player or a fan. Peter earned his post-graduate degree in banking at Rutgers University. During World War II, Peter served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy and was involved in both D-Day and the occupation of Japan. Afterwards Peter began working for U.S. Gypsum Co. in Chicago where he fell in love with and married his wife and lifelong best friend, Jane. In 1950, they moved east and he began working for Marine Midland Bank of Southeastern New York as a teller, ultimately becoming chairman of the board and chief executive officer. Settling in West Nyack, N.Y., he and Jane raised their four children. Peter became a community leader serving in many capacities. His involvement was pertinent as director and vice president of the Rockland County Industrial Development Committee, as a member of the legislative committee for New York State Bankers Association, as director for the executive committee for Mid-Hudson Patterns for Progress, as chairman for the Statewide Parks Committee, as a member of the Palisades Interstate Park Commission, as a member of the Nyack Action Council, as director and vice president of the Rockland County Association and longstanding membership in the Nyack Chamber of Commerce, as trustee for Nyack Hospital, as a member of the Executive Committee for the Rockland County YMCA, and as a member of the vestry for Grace Episcopal Church. Peter was honored as Man of the Year by the Boys Scouts of America, Rockland County Council in 1976. Peter was a Fellow Rotarian, an avid stamp collector and longtime member of the American Philatelic Society, loved playing golf and was an active member of Rockland Country Club and later of Desert Forest Golf Club in Carefree, Ariz. 1972 brought recognition to Peter through his inclusion In "Who's Who in America." Upon retirement from Marine Midland, and years of community service Peter and Jane moved to Scottsdale, Ariz., in 1980. With his beloved wife Jane, Peter traveled the world, enjoyed dancing and loved their summers spent in the Prescott, Ariz., mountains where they immensely enjoyed their summer home. As Jane's health declined, they moved to the Rossmoor community in Walnut Creek, Calif., in 2003 in order to be near two of their four children. Peter's affable, hard-working, fun-loving personality, dedication and his ability to deal with people helped to make him a man of character whose presence will be dearly missed by many. His life was devoted to making this world a better place. Peter was predeceased by his beloved wife Jane in 2009. He is survived by his four children; five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. No services are planned. The family requests no flowers, please. Suggested remembrances are to Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Habitat for Humanity or Doctors Without Borders. Arrangements by TraditionCare Funeral Services, Pleasant Hill, Calif., (925) 827-2911. Information provided by survivors.