Peter W. Duncan, 80, former WCAU-TV editorial director and Blue Cross publicist

Peter Waterman Duncan, 80, of Bala Cynwyd, a former editorial director of WCAU-TV who later worked in communications for Independence Blue Cross, died Monday, Feb. 20, of pneumonia at Cathedral Village, Roxborough.

Mr. Duncan was born in Germantown to Dr. Garfield Duncan and Dorothea Waterman Duncan.

He was a graduate of Episcopal Academy and Pennsylvania State University, with a bachelor's degree in journalism. He earned a master's degree in communications from the University of Illinois.

From 1964 to 1976, Mr. Duncan was employed by WCAU-TV, first as a writer and producer of documentaries, and later as the station's editorial director. In 1966, Mr. Duncan and a film crew traveled to Vietnam to interview Philadelphia-area soldiers about their roles in the war and their feelings about being stationed there.

The report, Louder Than Guns, was low-key and informative, wrote the Evening Bulletin's television critic Rex Polier on March 22, 1966.  He described it as "the next best thing to being there personally."

Mr. Duncan and the film crew also reported from Malaysia.

From 1977 to 1996, when he retired, Mr. Duncan was director of employee communications for Independence Blue Cross.

In retirement, he volunteered as a DJ at Warminster radio station WRDV.   He served on the alumni board of managers for Episcopal Academy and was a board member of WHYY and chairman of the WHYY citizen's action committee. He also recorded books for the Associated Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired.

A former member of St. John's Episcopal Church, he served on the vestry and as rector's warden at the Bala Cynwyd church.  At the time of his death, he was a member of St. Peter's Church in the Great Valley, also an Episcopal church.

He was a member of the St. Andrew's Society, a historical society in Philadelphia, and the Philadelphia Skating Club and Humane Society in Ardmore.

Mr. Duncan is survived by his wife, Jean Lane Duncan; daughters Suzanne Lees and Heather Ronca; son Garry; and seven grandchildren.

A 10 a.m. visitation on Saturday, Feb. 25, will be followed by an 11 a.m. memorial  service at St. Peter's Church in the Great Valley, 2475 St. Peters Rd., Malvern. Interment will be in St. Peter's churchyard.

Memorial contributions may be made to Adult Care of Chester County, 201 Sharp Lane, Exton, Pa. 19341, or the Garfield G. Duncan Research Foundation for Diabetes Education and Research, Box 897, Philadelphia 19105.