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Doug Dupen, former Menlo Park mayor, dies

Douglas William Dupen, a former Menlo Park City Council member who served as mayor from 1978 to 1980, died Oct. 7 at his Stanford home after struggling with the effects of a series of strokes. He was 84.

Born in Sacramento, Mr. Dupen studied theater at Sacramento Junior College and College of the Pacific. After earning his pilot's license at his father's flying school, he moved to Arcata to finish his education and work as a radio announcer.

In 1950 he entered the U.S. Navy, where he studied electronics and sailed the Pacific aboard the USS Cronin, a destroyer escort. In 1953, he married Joanne Zeigler, and began a career as an engineer and technical writer while studying physics at UC Berkeley and Stanford University.

The couple settled in Menlo Park, and he began a new career as an administrator at the Stanford Linear Accelerator, a position he would keep until his retirement.

Among the early residents of Sharon Heights in Menlo Park, Mr. Dupen served as president of the Sharon Heights Homeowners Association. Years later, the Dupens moved to Stanford.

Mr. Dupen loved to travel, read old comic books, and listen to operetta, say family members.

He is survived by his children, Kim Kehres, Keith Dupen and Kyle Dupen; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. His wife, Joanne, died in 2004.

His sense of humor and steady presence will be missed by all, say family members.