Robert Duncan, Jr. Memorial Scholarship established to support future accounting students at Tennessee Tech
A new scholarship honoring the life and legacy of Robert “Bob” Duncan, Jr. will support
accounting students at Tennessee Tech University. The Robert Duncan, Jr. Memorial
Scholarship reflects Bob’s lifelong commitment to education and his family’s desire
to invest in future generations of business leaders.
Bob, a 1969 graduate of Tech, earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting before launching a distinguished career as the owner/partner of the accounting firm that became Duncan, Wheeler & Wilkerson. Over the course of his career, he earned the respect of colleagues and clients alike for his integrity, expertise and dedication.
Following retirement, Bob continued to serve the region as chair of the Tennessee Rural Development Fund, where he worked to strengthen economic opportunities across rural communities. His leadership extended into numerous civic and community roles, including service as a Putnam County Commissioner, involvement with Cookeville Regional Medical Center and advisory work with Tech’s College of Business.
The scholarship in his name continues his legacy by helping students who share his passion for accounting but may face financial barriers in pursuing their education.
“Bob paid his way through school and realized how hard it is for many people to afford a college degree,” said his wife, Diane, also a Tech alum (`69 human ecology). “It was also important for him to support the workforce and local economy. He knew we needed people with a good solid education in the Upper Cumberland. Giving back is good for the school and good for the community.”
The scholarship was created through the collective efforts of Duncan’s family and friends, inspired by his deep connection to the university and the College of Business.
“A friend actually started the scholarship to honor Bob,” Diane said. “Our family thought it was a great idea and added to it. We just felt like it was something Bob would have wanted.”
Thomas Payne, dean of Tech’s College of Business, says the college carries a strong reputation for preparing graduates who are not only technically proficient but also ready to lead and serve their communities.
“Bob Duncan represented the very best of what we hope our graduates will become,” Payne said. “He built a very successful career in accounting, loved his family and gave his time and energy to his community and university, including his years of dedicated service on the College of Business Advisory Board. This scholarship is a meaningful way to honor his life and help more students build successful careers and make their communities better places.”
Bob’s passion for accounting began early in life and remained a defining part of who he was.
“Bob knew in high school that he wanted to be an accountant,” Diane said. “Numbers were just his thing. Back then, we didn’t have computers, and he could do most of the accounting in his head.”
In addition to technical skill, Diane emphasized the importance of communication and service in the profession.
“I’ve had clients of his tell me that he could explain their taxes very well,” Diane said. “I think he would tell today’s accounting students that you need to learn to communicate well with your clients, because many of them will not have any kind of background in accounting.”
Through this scholarship, the Duncan family hopes recipients will pursue excellence in their studies and carry forward Bob’s values of integrity, service and community engagement.