Winston Howard Duckworth, a registered professional engineer, died March 19, 2010.

He received bachelor’ and master’s degrees from Ohio State University where he was a member of Keramos.

He was commissioned second lieutenant, Corps of Engineers, in June 1940. Among other assignments, he served in the Persian Gulf Command and, in November 1945, was designated Chief, Ceramic Unit, Power Plant Laboratory at Wright Field. In December 1946, he reverted to the active reserve at the rank of lieutenant colonel USAF, and he remained in the reserve until November 1962.

In 1946 he joined the staff of Battelle Memorial Institute from which he retired in 1984 having served as chief of the ceramic division, fellow and member of the research council. He authored or coauthored numerous technical papers and other publications.

A member of The American Ceramic Society since 1941, he was made a Fellow in 1956 and Distinguished Life Member in 1985. In 1973, he was presented the W.E. Cramer Award by the Central Ohio Section for outstanding contributions to the ceramic field.

He also was an active member of the National Institute of Ceramic Engineers, serving as trustee, secretary and, eventually, president of NICE. He also edited of the “NICE Newsletter.” For his service to the institute and having exemplified its aims, ideals and purpose, ACerS and NICE awarded him the Arthur Frederick Greaves-Walker award in 1987.

Duckworth was also a member of the board of directors of the Engineers Joint Council, the Engineers Council for Professional Development and Sigma XI.

He also was a member of the Columbus Museum of Art, Greenfield Historical Society, Highland County Historical Society, Ohio Historical Society, and Southern Ohio Genealogical Society. He is survived by son, Christopher S. Duckworth and daughter-in-law, Bonnie T. Duckworth; grandson, Samuel C. Duckworth; sister-in-law, Alice Jo Duckworth; nieces, Pamala (Tony) Gudish, Penelope (Dennis) Duckworth, and Claudia Duckworth; and great-niece, Clare Gordon. He was predeceased by his parents Benton Raymond and Carrie Lois Shrock Duckworth, his wife of fifty-eight years, Clara Elizabeth Ayres Duckworth, son Winston H. Duckworth, Jr. and brother Benton Raymond Duckworth, Jr. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Greenfield Historical Society or Columbus Museum of Art.

He will be remembered by many as a keen scholar, a wise counselor, and a thoughtful and generous friend.

Condolences can be left online at Thompson Funeral Homes.

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