Obituary of Gary Gene Duven

Gary Gene Duven died unexpectedly at his home at Euchella Sport Lodge in Bryson City, NC on March 13, 2017 after a brief illness. Born on March 16, 1947 in Brooklyn, NY to Charles and Elaine Duven, Gary grew up in Hollywood, FL and attended Riverside Military Academy, a school where he formed many lifelong friendships. Gary later attended the University of Florida on a football scholarship where he played with then quarterback Steve Spurrier. In the early 1970s, Gary moved to Western North Carolina and became one of the first whitewater outfitters on the Nantahala River when he opened the Rolling Thunder River Company. An avid outdoorsman and adventurer, Gary enjoyed hiking, biking, swimming, kayaking, and canoeing. Gary is survived by his daughter Ayden Godfrey Duven of Bryson City, NC; his brother John Duven of Aspen, CO; his niece Jenn Dessauer of Denver, CO; and his nephew Christopher Duven of Raleigh, NC.