Born in 1916 to Josephine and Frank Duveneck, Francis came with his family to California as a child, and lived the most of his life in the Palo Alto and Monterey Peninsula areas. He died December 2010 in his Monterey home.
In the early 1940’s his family purchased about 300 acres in the Los Altos Hills, which became Hidden Villa, a part of which still belongs to the family, and early on was the site of the first Interracial Camp for Inner-City Youth in the Bay Area. This is where Francis grew up, and gained the foundation for what became a life of service, primarily to youth. During World War II he was a Conscientious Objector, and as part of a CO camp formed deep bonds with his fellow COs and their families. Friendships that lasted a lifetime. His wife Betty often described the stigma placed on them due to his stand, and the way they and other like families were treated during that period.
Later coming to Monterey, Francis and Betty were one of the founding couples of the Monterey Worship Group in the early 1950s, which became the Monterey Peninsula Meeting. Although they left to be in Palo Alto and Grass Valley for a time, they returned later and Francis built the home which they then lived in and in which both of them died (Betty in 2005).
Francis was a skilled Industrial Arts Teacher and could make or do anything requiring those skills. However, he continued his education and became a student counselor. He was an important influence in the lives of many at Seaside High School until his retirement. After that he became a finish carpenter, enjoying the work and being sought after for the quality of his work.
He also took special joy in working on and driving his Model T ford and the Stanley Steamer that he owned. He and Betty relished driving the ancient cars in parades and road trips with the auto clubs.
He and Betty were strong and dedicated members of the Friends Meeting (and the community.) During a number of times when the Meeting faltered, they were the mainstays to keep the Meeting alive. Francis continued to participate in the Meeting after Betty’s death, but finally found it was too difficult due to his poor hearing. At that time the Meeting went to him, with a small group meeting periodically with him in his home. He welcomed the visits and was able to communicate one to one more easily than with the larger group.
Francis was a humble, gentle man of strong principles, and a good sense of humor. we miss him and his ministry, which was deep and appreciated by all.