Duane E. Brege, 72, passed away December 11, 2014 at his home in Traverse City. Born in Alpena, MI to Elmer and Ethel (Kunzi) Brege on September 26, 1942. Duane and his brother David grew up in Rogers City hunting and fishing with their dad. Duane graduated from Rogers City High School, and went on to Alpena Jr. College. He then earned his Civil Engineering B.S. and M.S. from the University of Michigan's School of Engineering.
In 1971 Duane was hired to lead the Traverse City Engineering Department. This began his 33 year career dedicated to helping Traverse City grow into the nationally recognized city it is today. One of his first projects was to remove the Morgan McCool Cherry Processing Plant and help facilitate the development of what we now call the "Open Space". During his tenure as the City Engineer, Duane supervised the design and maintenance of the city streetscapes and also oversaw the beginning of Dial-A-Ride (BATA today). Duane was a City Engineer who really believed in city projects that benefitted the entire community. He retired in 2005.
Duane was a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and Society of Land Surveyors. He also served on many boards with the city, the Board of Review, and enjoyed being on the Board of Members Credit Union.
While Duane was at University of Michigan in Ann Arbor Duane met and married the love of his life, Jan Vallender. Duane and Jan raised their family at the base of the Old Mission peninsula which they thought was the ideal neighborhood for their four children to grow in - close to schools, parks, friendly neighbors and a canopy of trees over their heads. Throughout his life Duane enjoyed the tradition of hunting at the family camp with his good friends and family. Continuing a lifetime of hunting tradition in November of this year Duane proudly witnessed his eldest grandson get his first buck. In retirement Duane and Jan relished spending summers at their cottage on Lake Huron East of Alpena enjoying their children, grandchildren, and close friends.
Surviving Duane are his loving wife of 48 years, Jan Brege, children Julianna (James Coy IV) Brege Coy, their boys James Tandy V, Macrery, and Bond of Lexington, Kentucky. Son David Elmer (Bridget Orr) Brege their children Ava Ann and Aiden Cage of Traverse City. Katherine (Tabitha McNeil) Brege their daughter Addison of Traverse City. Karen (Paul) Griggs their children Ella and Aiden Bay of Traverse City. His brother David Lee (Ruth) Brege of Rogers City. Numerous Brege and Kunzi aunts, uncles, and cousins, as well as many of Jan's (twelve) brothers and sisters and their families.
A memorial service honoring Duane's life will be held at the Presbyterian Church of Traverse City on Tuesday, December 16 at 1:00pm with a reception immediately following. Memorial contributions may be made to the Traverse Area District Library or the Presbyterian Church.
Please Visit www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com to share your memories of Duane.
The family is being served by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.