ELBRIDGE LEE DUNCKEL

After high school, Elbridge hitchhiked to Kansas to work the wheat harvest, as his father had done before him. He attended one year at University of Michigan, then joined the Navy, serving as a Medical Corpsman. After three years of service, he enrolled at Michigan State University where he graduated as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. Elbridge practiced as a veterinarian in Alpena for several years.

He ultimately changed his career, and became an instructor at Alpena Community College, touching many lives. With a unique sense of humor and love of lecturing, he taught anatomy and the physical and biological sciences for many years. Elbridge was an active and involved member of the greater Alpena community, including founding the salmon fisheries and fish stocking program in the Thunder Bay River. After retirement, he and other ACC retirees, aka The Silverbacks, met every Friday for coffee.

Elbridge met Marion Sanborn in 1953 at his brother’s wedding, and the couple married in 1954. Together they raised three children, Eric, Matthew, and Amy, and he was known as “Pops” to their four grandchildren. Following Elbridge’s lead, many years of fishing, hunting, skiing, sailing, swimming, golfing, bonfires, and all-around family fun kept everyone lively.

Elbridge had a beautiful voice and loved to sing. Many friends will recall his performances at weddings, or at a loved one’s funeral. As a young boy he sang in several operettas and glee clubs, and as an adult in the Besser Chorus. Elbridge always sang in his church choirs.

Elbridge was competitive and welcomed physical and mental challenges of many kinds with the expectation that he would win. However, last July, following his 90th birthday, a stroke won the last challenge.

Elbridge is survived by his wife Marion, three children, Eric (Kathleen Stineman), of Harrisville, Matthew (Mary Lane), of Ossineke, Amy (Fred) Call, of Maine, three grandchildren, Elena (Roy Mustin) Dunckel, Ricco Call, Jaxen Call, and his brother Allen. He was preceded in death by his granddaughter Abigail Dunckel.

We are thankful for the care he received from Turning Brook and Hospice of Michigan. In lieu of flowers, donations can be given to Hospice of Michigan or to New Life Lutheran Church of Alcona County, Michigan.

A private memorial service will be held, the family will announce a Celebration of Life at a later date. Arrangements have been handled by McWilliams Funeral Home.