
Daniel Duick, MD, FACP, MACE, ECNU, Dan passed peacefully, surrounded by family on January 5, 2022. He was an Illinois native growing up in Skokie and attending Loyola Academy, University of South Dakota for BS/MS degrees in Bio Sciences and graduated from Northwestern University Medical School. He completed his medical residency and endocrinology fellowship training at both USC – Los Angeles County Hospital and Walter Reed Army Medical Center before serving two years of active duty as a Major in the Army at the now dismantled Fort Ord, California. He subsequently joined the staff of Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN) for six years before moving to Phoenix, Arizona where he served as the Director of the Internal Medicine Residency Training Program for 12 years at St Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ. Dr Duick then joined Endocrinology Associates, PA, in private practice in the Phoenix/Scottsdale/Chandler metro area. He also practiced in Cape Girardeau, Missouri (1992-1998) and then rejoined Endocrinology Associates, PA., until his retirement in December 2018.
Professionally, Dr. Duick, was a specialist in endocrinology, but early on sub-specialized in Thyroidology and practiced, performed active research and published in the fields of primarily Thyroid Tumors, Thyroid Cancer and Parathyroid/Calcium disorders. His clinical practice focused on optimal management and research to aid in the diagnosis of thyroid nodules and treatment of active and progressive thyroid cancer. He co-edited and co-authored four editions of the textbook: Thyroid Ultrasound and Ultrasound-Guided FNA defining the utility of ultrasound for thyroid and parathyroid diseases. Dan was one of five pioneering physicians at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN (1976) who developed the technique and performed fine needle aspiration biopsies of ultrasound indeterminate thyroid nodules. Today, it’s estimated that there are more than 600,000 FNAs performed annually on thyroid nodules in the United States (with multiple millions more performed around the world). Greater than 75% are benign when examined under the microscope and preclude the necessity for open neck surgical removal for diagnosis. Thus, in the USA, over four decades, many hundreds of thousands of patients annually have been able to avoid thyroid surgical procedures resulting not only in better patient wellbeing but also a massive dollar savings in health care costs. Dan and his colleagues expanded this knowledge and training efforts throughout North America, Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, Australia, New Zealand and portions of the Far East. Dr. Duick was the Past President of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (2008-2009) and the American College of Endocrinology (2010-2011).
He was married for 57 years and is preceded in death in January 2021, by his wife, Diane Elizabeth (Flynn) Duick, formerly of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He enjoyed fishing and golfing and traveled often nationally and internationally but did not want to go anywhere unless his wife Diane was able to go and enjoy the experience with him. He is survived by two of his three children; Daniel Duick, David Duick (deceased) and Jennifer Duick; and three grandchildren, David Krieger, Delaney Krieger and Calvin Anderer. He is also survived by two brothers: Emory Duick of Des Plaines, Illinois and Gregory Duick, M.D., of Wichita, Kansas and a third adopted brother since second grade, Bud Petrillo of Scottsdale, Arizona. Despite the time the medical profession took away from time with his family, they did not feel he was ever absent. He was always home for the family dinner and never missed an opportunity to pack up the family in the car and drive somewhere for a vacation. He continued this with his grandchildren, often traveling all over the United States. He loved science and teaching, moreover, he loved to learn and continued expanding his knowledge his entire life . He will be remembered by his family, lifelong friends and colleagues for his humor, intellect, and compassion. His ability to understand the human state and the human being while being empathetic in sharing his knowledge and advice made him beloved by his family, friends, colleagues and patients. He would want to be remembered as a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather, but those who knew him will remember him as a brilliant physician and the person you went to for help and clarity. And although he would never admit it himself, his success as a physician (who reached the pinnacle of his profession) was matched with a prodigious humility. All this being said, Dan never held himself to a higher esteem than his colleagues. Despite his many professional accomplishments and titles, he pushed to be a friend and family leader first and foremost—and it’s that legacy of love, humility, and grit that warrants the immense respect even strangers will send his way. His life of service and ability to give of himself was shaped by his deep faith in Catholicism. The grief from the loss of him from this world will not be forgotten but is tempered by the knowledge that he is reunited in health with his beloved wife and son in the care of God.
A viewing will be held on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 from 5:00-7:00 PM at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Phoenix, AZ 85018. Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, January 13, 2022 at 12:00 PM at St. Thomas the Apostle church, 2312 E. Campbell Ave, Phoenix, Arizona 85016, followed by the burial at Saint Francis Catholic Cemetery, 2033 N 48th St, Phoenix, Arizona, 85008. Post-burial, a reception to celebrate Dan’s life will be held at his
daughter Jennifer’s home; 3526 E. Piccadilly RD, Phoenix, Arizona, 85018 and all are welcomed. The funeral Mass can also be live streamed or watched at a later time by going to the church website at www.staphx.org. Donations in his memory can be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society at lls.org, The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention at afsp.org, and he would want anyone able to join the bone marrow registry at bethematch.org
Condolences may be expressed at www.whitneymurphyfuneralhome.com
DD Bayse
Dr. Duick was an amazing man. Always pleasant and smiling no matter how busy he was. May the beautiful memories you share help to comfort you at this time
DD Bayse
Maria Moreno
I got a chance to work for him and he was a giving and humble man. Dr. Duick loved to teach and he always took his time with his patients and that’s why they loved him so much. My deepest condolences to his loved ones and may God bless them and give them strength through this hard times. My prayers and thoughts are with them.
Maria Moreno
Judy And Steve Goldston
Judy and I had been patients of Dr. Duick for many years. We looked at our annual check-ups as an opportunity to not only get the most expert medical advise, but also to interact with a genuinely kind and compassionate man. While I am sure Dr. Duick is held in the highest esteem by his colleagues, it is his patients that are truly most grateful to have know him.
May his memory be a blessing for us all and his family be comforted.
Judy and Steve Goldston
Beth Weinstein
My deepest condolences to Jennifer and the entire Duick family. May his memory always be a blessing.
Dr. Duick was recommended to me in the hospital as my thyroid cancer grew before I even had an endocrinologist. My primary doctor said, “Well, you’re in luck, the best thyroid cancer endocrinologist, Dr. Duick, is here in Scottsdale.” Dr. Duick took great care and time with me. His eyes sparkled when he spoke about thyroids and then even more so when he spoke of his family and their adventures. He welcomed educated debate on medications and dosage, and always found a way to see you, whether or not he was on your insurance plan. I wish we could clone him – the world needs more like Dr. Duick. Sending love and light to his family and loved ones.
Susan and John Reuter
Please accept our sympathy for Dan’s loss and our prayers that he is finally at peace. He accomplished a lot but also suffered in the loss of his son and dear wife. He will be waiting for you in the afterlife.
Martin J. Harty
Deepest sympathy to the Duick family on Dan’s passing, from a childhood playmate and friend throughout the years.
Art Smith
As a member of the “Sons of 41”, a group of friends from multiple Chicago area high schools, I wish to express my sincere condolences to Dan’s family. He was a treasured classmate at Loyola and afterwards. When he moved west with Diane our meet ups were seldom, but Dan did his best to return for reunions and Sons’ birthday gatherings where all of us enjoyed his company and wit. I’ll remember fondly this great guy.
Angela Grice
Dr Duick was my endocrinologist for several years, starting when I had thyroid issues. I really loved working with him. He was always straight to the point and really helped me. May your family be comforted by the memories. Thank you for sharing Dr Duick with us.
Cindy H.
Dr.Duick saved my life in 2006. I met him at an Int’l ThyCa conference in Denver. I had thyroid cancer and after 2 invasive surgeries, including a total thyroidectomy with a modified neck dissection, my Tg (tumor marker) levels were rapidly increasing! After seeing all the thyroid specialists in the NW and having every diagnostic imaging possible, they couldn’t figure out where the cancer was metastatic!! I went to the ThyCa conference in hopes of finding a true thyroid cancer specialist and attended Dr. Duick’s thyroid ultrasound presentation. After only a few minutes of his presentation, I knew that I needed to schedule an appointment with him no matter how far I needed to travel or the cost!! His expertise with thyroid cancer and neck ultrasound gave my surgeon the map he needed to perform a successful surgery because the metastasis was located in several lymph node chains within my neck! No physician in the NW even thought of a neck ultrasound! After my 3rd surgery, and because of Dr. Duick, I continue to be cancer free!!! God bless your family, Dr.Duick and may they be comforted during this time of loss! Thanks for saving my life!!
Rick Feurino
I just discovered that the world lost one of my biggest heroes. Dr. Duick saved my life and my sister’s life because of his skills at detecting thyroid cancer. He was always so nice, and took his time to explain things. Brilliant, yet humble. Fortunately he tirelessly traveled the world spreading his knowledge to doctors who now save countless lives. He left his mark with a legacy that will continue to help people all over the globe. This was a great man!