Robert Hunt “Bob” Duckworth, 86, passed away on November 7, 2018. Bob earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in General Business from Indiana University in 1954 and then served two years in the Army at Fort Lee, Virginia and at Fort Sheridan, Illinois. When he completed his tour in the Army in 1956, he worked collecting delinquent loans with the Irwin Union Bank and Trust Company in Columbus, Indiana. It soon became evident to him that the challenges of banking were exciting, and he never again considered any other career field. In 1960 he joined the Bank of Douglas (Arizona Bank) in Tucson, AZ. Soon he was transferred to Phoenix where he became the youngest branch manager in the state. In 1966 he joined First National Bank where he managed the bank's main office in downtown Phoenix and was promoted to an Assistant Vice President followed by a Division Vice President in 1970. In 1975, he became Executive Vice President and head of the Commercial Banking Group. He was promoted to Chairman of the Board and CEO of First Interstate Bank (formerly First National Bank) in 1985 where he served until he retired in 1990. He was a graduate of the Stonier Graduate School of Banking at Rutgers University. Bob also served as the National President of the Robert Morris Associates in 1980, traveling across the nation conducting seminars in the commercial lending society. Bob was a strong leader in Phoenix civic affairs for decades. He was a founding Director of Valley Forward, Former President of The Phoenix Downtown Lions Club, Former Chairman of the Phoenix Metro Chamber of Commerce, Treasurer of Sun Angel Foundation and an active board member of ASU Foundation Board, St. Joseph's Hospital, American Graduate School of International Management (Thunderbird), Phoenix Art Museum, Phoenix Community Alliance, ASU College of Business Council 100, and many others. He is survived by his wife, Marilyn, a son, daughter, three grandchildren, one great grandchild, a sister and several nieces and nephews. A private family service will be held in the Memorial Garden at Valley Presbyterian Church. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Vi at Silverstone, 23005 N.74th Street, Scottsdale, AZ 85255 at 3:00 pm. November 24, 2018. Donations may be made in his memory to the American Heart Association, (1-800-AHA-USA1) or the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 15829 Arlington, VA 22215, (1-800-diabetes). (Source: Arizona Republic)