Robert A. Duval

Born in Manchester on June 13, 1924, he was the son of Emile and Eliane (Demers) Duval. He graduated from St. Joseph High School and later served in the US Army during the occupation of Japan.

He graduated from St. Anselm College in 1949 and from Laval University Medical School in Quebec City, Quebec in 1954.

He served internships in Quebec City, Montreal and Worcester, MA before opening a family practice in Manchester in 1956. At that time he also joined the staff at Sacred Heart Hospital, Notre Dame Hospital and Elliot Hospital all in Manchester.

IN HIS LIFE: Dr. Duval was an FAA Medical Examiner and Hillsborough County Medical Examiner. He served as president of the Hillsborough County Medical Society and president of the medical staff at Catholic Medical Center.

He was a charter member of the American Academy of Family Practice and a member of the New Hampshire Medical Society House of Delegates for many years. He was a director of St. Mary's Bank and a member of the Manchester Board of Health for many years. He continued to practice family medicine until retiring in 1998. He was widely known for his compassion, wisdom and thoughtful manner.

Dr. Duval enjoyed sailing, tinkering with his sailboat and working on projects around his home. He was a member of the Massabesic Yacht Club for many years.

His children will always remember his cautionary tales about the unforeseen hazards of life.

The family includes his wife of 54 years, Vivian (Lamoureux) Duval of Manchester; six children, Suzanne Duval of Petoskey, MI, Robert Duval and his wife, Jean of Manchester, David Duval of Sacramento, CA, Thomas Duval and his wife, Paula Noonan of Bow, Jennie Duval, MD and her husband, Gerard Bedard of Concord and Natalie Duval and her husband, Charles Spalding of Hopkinton; 15 grandchildren and nine great grandchildren; two sisters, Frankie Sopel of Meadow Lake, TX and Alice Pierce of Safety Harbor, FL; two brothers, Bert Duval of Punta Gorda, Fl and Vincent Duval of Manchester; cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by a sister, Denise Gosselin.

SERVICES: A mass of Christian burial was celebrated Wednesday, December 17, 2008 at St. Catherine Church, corner of Webster and Hemlock streets, Manchester. Committal prayers followed at Mt. Calvary Mausoleum, 474 Goffstown Rd., Manchester.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Anselm College, 100 St. Anselm Dr., Manchester, NH 03102, or to Easter Seals, 555 Auburn St. Manchester, NH 03103.