Ducks Unlimited Inc. (DU) today announces with great sadness that James “Jim” D. Konkel has passed away. Mr. Konkel’s passing is a profound loss for countless people, including his extended family at Ducks Unlimited.
Mr. Konkel faithfully served DU on many levels. He served on the DU Board Emeritus, was an active trustee of the Wetlands America Trust (WAT), and served on the board of Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) while also serving or leading many DU committees, groups, and events.
Mr. Konkel has been a major supporter of Ducks Unlimited Inc. since he began his volunteer journey with DU in 1989. He was also one of DU’s most generous philanthropic supporters.
His generosity and enthusiastic volunteer spirit regularly place him at dozens of events, meetings and gatherings each year. His love of DU directly influenced the organization’s conservation mission and success, and his continued support of all things DU in North America was widely celebrated.
“We are deeply saddened to lose Jim,” said DU Executive Director Adam Putnam. “We will always be grateful for the friendship, service and philanthropy he regularly extended to Ducks Unlimited. Jim was a true champion of our conservation mission and he had genuine affection for everyone at Ducks Unlimited. The DU family extends its deepest condolences to his wife, Susan Konkel, his sister, Susie Konkel, and his father, Harry Konkel. We will miss him very much.”
“It’s hard for me to imagine a Ducks Unlimited without Jim Konkel,” added DU President Chuck Smith. “I was with him at our board meeting in Key West last week when he addressed the Board on behalf of the Wetlands America Trust. A great worker, volunteer and friend; He will be missed. I fondly remember the gathering he hosted at his Maine home complete with real local lobster and all the trimmings. Truly a selfless servant and steward of all things DU.”
In light of Mr. Konkel’s respected status within DU, WAT and DUC, more detailed communications will be forthcoming soon, celebrating his life and years of service to the Ducks.
Ducks Unlimited Inc. is the world‘The largest non-profit organization in North America dedicated to the conservation of rapidly disappearing waterfowl habitats. Established in 1937, Ducks Unlimited has conserved more than 15 million acres thanks to the contributions of more than a million supporters across the continent. Guided by science and dedicated to program efficiency, DU works toward the vision of enough wetlands to fill the skies with waterfowl today, tomorrow and forever. For more information about our work, visit www.patos.org.