Duane Ladine

Duane Alfred "Al" Ladine was born into a farming family November 26, 1928 in Sidney, Nebraska to Arthur August and Elsie Rose (Thieman) Ladine. The eldest of four children, he grew up working the farm and spent his free time building model airplanes, his favorite hobby all his life. He knew farming was not for him so he joined the Army the day after he graduated high school and then went to college.

He graduated with a BS degree in Physics and soon began a very successful career as an engineering physicist including many patents for his computer developments. While in college he met Virginia Lucile Parker and they married in 1950. They moved to Texas and shortly after to Southern California where he lived the rest of his life.

Al and Virginia had three children, Linda Lou, Sheryl Kay and Jay Joseph. In 1964, after divorce, Al married Gina Cuccinello. During their marriage they raised the children, traveled the world and started their own company, Enviro Labs, which they ran for almost 40 years.

In 2006, Al began losing his eyesight so he moved into an assisted living. He made many new friends and enjoyed more travel and excursions, especially to air museums. He also encouraged resident to join him in various hobbies. He always loved teaching and sharing his knowledge of how things work. Even with his limited eyesight, Al continued to build model airplanes, sailboats and even robots, His hobby room, the "Man (and Woman) Cave" won an international recognition award for active aging and he was featured in several newspaper articles.

Al was an avid reader his whole life and when his eyesight diminished in his later years, he spent many hours listening to books on tape. He always enjoyed visits with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren where he loved to share stories of his farm life, army, and travel adventures.

At 94 years old, Al's heart began to fail and after a small and intimate family reunion, he went to be with his Lord on July 25, 2023.

In Lieu of Flowers, Donations can be made to the Blinded Veterans Association BVA.org (link below) or can be mailed out to PO Box 90770, Washington, DC 20090

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.pacificviewcalifornia.com for the Ladine family.