Henry Richard “Dick” Duden Jr., a 2001 College Football Hall of Fame inductee from Navy, passed away March 31 at his home in Severna Park, Md. He was 88.

Duden played a key role in Navy’s success from 1943-45, leading the Midshipmen to a 21-5-1 record. He began his career as a blocking single wing quarterback on offense and a linebacker on defense. In 1945, the 6-3, 215 pounds star, big for that era, was moved to end.  As team captain, he had a sensational season, earning consensus First Team All-America honors on a squad that went 7-1-1. The Washington Touchdown Club selected him as the 1945 recipient of the Knute Rockne Award, its top lineman honor.  He also won the Naval Academy Athletic Association Sword as the top athlete in the graduating Class of 1946.  

Considered one of the greatest athletes in Naval Academy history, Duden earned nine varsity letters while at the academy – three each in football, basketball, and baseball.  In 1973 a panel of elite sportswriters selected him as a member of the All-Time Army-Navy Team.

Following graduation, Duden served as an officer in the Navy from 1946-49. He then played professionally for one year with the New York Giants in 1949 before a knee injury ended his football career.  He returned to Navy from 1951-53, taking on the job of freshman football coach.  In his 16 seasons, he compiled a 95-23-2 record overseeing the plebe squad.  

Born November 29, 1924 in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, Duden was raised in Englewood, New Jersey. He attended boarding school at Phillips Academy in Andover, Mass. He helped found the Touchdown Club of Annapolis, later serving as president. He also led the Annapolis Rotary Club.