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 to countless people, including his extended family at Ducks Unlimited.
Mr. Konkel faithfully served DU on many levels. He served on DU’s Emeritus Board, was an active trustee of Wetlands America Trust (WAT) and held a board position with Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) while also serving on or leading many DU committees, groups and events.
Mr. Konkel has been a major supporter of Ducks Unlimited Inc. since beginning 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 placed him at dozens of events, meetings and gatherings each year. His love for DU directly influenced the organization’s conservation mission and success, and his continued support for all things DU across North America was widely celebrated.
“We are deeply saddened to lose Jim,” said DU CEO Adam Putnam. “We will forever be grateful for the friendship, service and philanthropy he regularly extended to Ducks Unlimited. Jim was a true champion of our conservation mission and had genuine affection for everyone in Ducks Unlimited. The DU family extends its deepest sympathies to his wife, Susan Konkel, his sister, Susie Konkel, and his father, Harry Konkel. We will miss him greatly.”
“It’s difficult for me to envision a Ducks Unlimited without Jim Konkel,” DU President Chuck Smith added. “I was with him at our board meeting in Key West last week as he addressed the Board on behalf of Wetlands America Trust. A great worker, volunteer and friend; he will be missed. I fondly recall the gathering he hosted at his Maine home featuring authentic local lobster and all the trimmings. Truly an unselfish 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 coming soon, celebrating his life and years of service to the ducks.
Ducks Unlimited Inc. is the world‘s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving North America’s continually disappearing waterfowl habitats. Established in 1937, Ducks Unlimited has conserved more than 15 million acres thanks to contributions from more than a million supporters across the continent. Guided by science and dedicated to program efficiency, DU works toward the vision of wetlands sufficient to fill the skies with waterfowl today, tomorrow and forever. For more information on our work, visit www.ducks.org.
