'A wonderful man'
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HEBER CITY, Utah — President Ralph L. Duke was remembered during a funeral May 19 as a mission president and friend who generously gave of his talents and time to bless others.
The service included words of comfort from President Thomas S. Monson, first counselor in the First Presidency, along with talks from President Duke's four children, R.L., Michael and Spencer Duke, and Katie Duke Nelson, and other friends and fellow Church members from Heber City, Utah.
President Duke's life and exemplary spirit of devotion were memorialized by some 2,000 people who attended the service in his hometown of Heber City. President Duke, 57, died in a May 10 traffic accident after he and Sister Duke had taken missionaries to the Entebbe Airport in Uganda. His wife was not seriously injured.
The mission president's lifelong desire to serve his Church and fellow men was evident when he was called by President Monson to preside over the new Uganda Kampala Mission. President Duke and his wife, Sister Kim Duke, were given just over three weeks notice to begin their service in Africa — but the Dukes accepted without hesitation.
President Duke accepted the mission call in the form of a letter:
"Dear Brethren," he wrote, "It is with a humble heart that Sister Duke and I accept this call to the Uganda Kampala Mission. We love the people of Africa and look forward to serving them. We commit to give our all to the service of the Lord."
Speaking at the funeral, President Monson said he could not see an empty seat in the Heber City Utah North Stake Center. "It's a wonderful tribute to a wonderful man," he said in reference to the many people who attended the service.
President Monson said that when he learned President Duke had died, he offered a private prayer.
"It is difficult to have missionaries pass away," said President Monson, calling President Duke the sort of man "who never gave up on others."
The faithful mission president's death marks a "temporary separation," President Monson noted.
"We came from a heavenly home — I'm sure there were tears as we left," President Monson said. "In this mortal life, we have the opportunity to prove ourselves. Then comes this temporary passing, and it's hard."
President Monson read a letter from the First Presidency addressed to Sister Duke.
"We rejoice with you in your husband's life of service," he paraphrased from the letter. "He successfully used his talents to do good in the world.... We appreciate his dedicated service to the Church."
President Monson said Sister Duke need not worry about finding her partner when she enters heaven. "Your beloved husband will be looking for you." The Church leader counseled Sister Duke to place her hand in God's loving hand.
"(President Duke) was a giant of a man in many ways," said son R.L. Duke. "I have a long way to go to fulfill the measure of example that has been set for me. But for my father, I'll try."
Sister Nelson said that her children were born after her parents left for Africa and she had been "so excited for him to come home and be Grandpa. Now, we are just going to teach them how he was."
President Duke is survived by his wife, and children, R.L. (Melissa), Michael (Keri), Spencer (Karissa), and Katie Nelson (Mitch); nine grandchildren, and six siblings.
