Duncan Chiquoine
Professor of Biology (1966-84)
Memorial minute for Duncan Chiquoine, Professor of Biology emeritus, presented by Sue Ann Miller, Professor of Biology emerita on September 6, 2016.
Professor A. Duncan Chiquoine was a private person who would consider this tribute unnecessary. When asked what the A in his name represented, he replied “Aloycius” with a wink and a grin. He was also a mentor who persuaded me to come to Hamilton when I was inclined to accept other offers, so I have the honor of presenting this memorial minute.
A. Duncan Chiquoine was born on 3 May 1926 in Chester, PA. His studies at Swarthmore College were interrupted by participation in the Navy WWII V-12 officer training program at the University of Chicago, but he returned to Swarthmore to complete his degree and graduate in 1947. He met his life partner, Isabell (Ibby) Kellers in college, and they married in 1950. Duncan earned his PhD at Cornell University in 1952.
Chiquoine taught biology and did research at Princeton University and Washington University before coming to Hamilton College in 1966 as Associate Professor. Professor of Biology from 1969 to 1984, he served as chair of the Biology Department from 1972 to 1980, Director of the Joint Program in Life Science with Kirkland College 1975-1978, and the Stephen Harper Kerner Professor of Biology from 1972 until his retirement.
A pioneer in biological electron microscopy, Duncan’s research established the alkaline phosphatase marker for primordial germ cells in mice and the concept of a blood-testis barrier. He established a transmission electron microscopy facility at Hamilton at a time when the technique had much to contribute and few undergraduate colleges had such a facility.
A product of the Great Depression, Duncan was frugal, liked to tinker with and was adept at fixing mechanical things. He embraced computers and computer languages when they appeared on the horizon, and supported Assistant Professor Frank Price, ’68 in bringing the College’s first microcomputer, word processing and statistical software to the biology department before current brand names existed.
Duncan taught genetics, vertebrate zoology/vertebrate organization, cellular ultrastructure/electron microscopy, embryology, and experimental biology at Hamilton before taking a semester of the introductory course in his final years of teaching.
Professors prepared and taught their course laboratory meetings in addition to all lectures at colleges like Hamilton when Duncan arrived. He established the first laboratory instructor position to assist with the 5 labs per week in general biology, but he maintained his engagement with students as he enjoyed chatting with students during labs and in his office. He had a considerable following.
During the Kirkland years Duncan claimed to be among the Hamilton faculty who, when asked to write evaluations instead of submitting letter grades for Kirkland students, wrote “Amazingly astute”, “Benignly believable”, “Casually common”, etc. as needed. He told that story with a wink and a grin.
Duncan believed “The most important purpose of a liberal arts education is to provide a student with a good crap-detector.” Friends observed that he did not suffer fools gladly, but Duncan enjoyed being a Socratic devil’s advocate. Students referred to his manner as Chiquoinery.
Teaching was more than transmission of information in Duncan’s opinion. He helped students, colleagues and friends see beyond plug-n-chug in learning, choice of career and lifestyle. He guided students to learn about the organization of vertebrates beyond memorize-and-spit back-information. Alumni recalled an exam with a list of multiple-guess items. The last item read “Ok now you have shown me that you did not learn anything; tell me about what you did learn.”
Professor Chiquoine was supportive of young colleagues, but not before asking “Why?” and “How much?” Colleagues who did not understand the style of a devil’s advocate lost an opportunity for constructive interaction. Duncan genuinely understood the patriarchal limitations of a recently all-male college. He was ahead of his time in many ways.
Duncan lived in the village, and most days he rode up the Hill with a neighbor on the library staff and was in his office by 8:30 am. He departed most days at 4:30 pm to walk home with colleague Larry McManus.
Duncan strove to continue his personal growth. He would give good thought to a project, see it through for a few years, then consider or create other opportunities. He was fortunate to have his career at a time when the growth of higher education provided opportunities to relocate and shuffle courses and intellectual interests.
Duncan's intellectual curiosity included wide-ranging hobbies: beekeeping, chess, HAM radios, cryptography, computer languages and the latest, fastest computer. His pleasure reading tended to mysteries and mathematical theory. Colleagues recalled evenings playing bridge accompanied by Joan Baez folk songs. He volunteered in the Clinton public schools after he retired.
Duncan valued family time with his wife of 65 years, their 4 sons and daughter, 9 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. Knowing that life was not always what it appeared, he opined that “the young think the old have it made”, but he found a positive solution by doing what he wanted to do for the last third of his life. Alexander Duncan Chiquoine, III passed away on 5 May 2016 at his home in Devens, MA at the age of 90.
