Clifford “Bert” Duncan Camas History

My earliest memories of Camas are in the 1930’s coming to visit my Grandparents, Judge E.C. Duncan and his wife, Elizabeth. The Duncan parents, with children, Clifford, Helen, Vesta and Carlton lived on the NW corner of 1st and Hayes.

Clifford Duncan, my father, arrived from Trout Lake, Washington with his parents in 1919.  He graduated from Camas High School in 1926, attended college at Bellingham Normal School, receiving his teaching credentials (also met is future wife) and taught school in the Seattle area.  Dad received his BA and Masters Degrees from the University of Washington by attending summer school at the Seattle campus.

As a family, we made many trips to Camas from Kent-Meridian, Adna, Onalaska and Anacortes to visit the family.  Dad became School Superintendent in Camas in 1949.

I was active in school, participating in sports, picked as a Southwest Washington All Star in Baseball and Basketball as well as performing in Band and Orchestra and named to the National Honor Society for the years of 1951 through 1953. Our brass sextet was selected the first place winner of ensembles in the Southwest Washington music competition. At graduation I was named the outstanding graduating student.

After high school I graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in Business Administration. In 1957 I accepted the invitation from Dwight Eisenhower to become a member of the U.S. Army.  Returning to Camas following my Army tour, I accepted a position in the Accounting Department of Fibreboard Corporation in California.  Visiting Camas from California occurred with some frequency…..probably not as much as my parents would have liked, but I stayed in touch.    I migrated North in 1994 to continue my residence in Camas.  I have lived in three different homes in Camas:  NW 5th, NW 19th and our current home on NE 5th Avenue.

Working in Camas has afforded me a close-up view of then and now.  In 1950 I purchased a window washing business from Bob Howe.  Each Saturday started with the Bank of Commerce on 4th and Adams and ended with the Imperial Cleaners on 4th and Dallas.  Summers included mowing lawns and helping Bert Allen at Blue Bird Transfer.  Turning 18 allowed me to work in the mill.  I started in the groundwood Mill, assigned by either Dick Sawyer or Bob Cameron.  After 6 to 8 weeks on ‘extra board’ Bob Fuller hired me in the Time Office.  Summers in the Time Office were excellent training.  The experience gave me an edge for job offers when I came out of the service and was searching for the first job opportunity.  Crown Zellerbach as a work reference was excellent.

Now is the time for me to give something back into Camas.  My educational background and work experience will serve me well as a structured base for evaluation and decision making.  Specialized training and experience in planning, finance, manufacturing and developing strategic plans will be valuable and essential tools in planning for our cities future.  I need, and ask for your vote so that I may repay Camas for the opportunities given me.