Recently Clevedon said goodbye to an iconic stalwart of the community.
Ian Leslie Duder passed away peacefully on February 12 just hours after his 87th birthday.
The All Souls Anglican Church, where his funeral was held, was overflowing with all those who came to pay tribute to the man who spent his life caring for and serving the Clevedon community.
Ian grew up in Clevedon on his family’s beach front cottage at Duder’s Beach, and spent riding horses and helping out on his grandparent’s farm.
He attended the small Clevedon North School, and went on to study at Otahuhu College in High School.
It was here that he met Mary Jones, a Clevedon girl with whom he would start a lifelong romance.
But before they wed, Ian was drafted into the army and was selected for the NZ Army Contingent at the Queen’s Coronation.
Upon his return, with stories and photos from his five-month adventure, Ian married Mary, his high school sweetheart.
They settled on the family farm where they raised four children.
At his funeral his daughter lovingly described him as generous, determined, hardworking, physically strong with a great strength of character, the Pohutukawa Coast Times reported.
Ian was also remembered as an active conservationist with a fierce love for the land which he openly shared with his family and wider community.
Over the years Ian, a fourth generation farmer, was involved in many local service organisations including local schools, the Scouts, church, Federal Farmers, and the A&P show.
In 1995, when it came time for Ian to retire, he and the family decided to sell the farm to the Regional Council.
It would remain a farm park which could be used and enjoyed by his family and the public for years to come.
Ian leaves behind a legacy that will live on in his children, his work for the community and in the land he held so dear to his heart, Duder Regional Park.
