Last week, The Wanderer lost one of its most beloved columnists. Dexter Duggan died from unexpected recently diagnosed stage-four cancer, bringing to a close almost 50 years of faithful weekly contributions as a columnist for The Wanderer. His columns were a constant presence in the paper, and his dedication was unmatched — he was known to wake in the middle of the night to ensure his work met a next-day deadline.
Dexter’s writing was unmistakably his own. His humor and storytelling were unique, as he skillfully captured the pulse of the week’s news.
He will be best remembered as a tireless pro-life advocate starting with his detailed and extensive coverage of the trial of a notorious abortionist in 1978 with the name of Dr. William Waddill. Dr. Waddill was charged with the murder of a baby girl who survived a saline abortion the doctor had performed. The unborn have lost a steadfast and courageous voice. Whenever legislation or public events threatened innocent human life, Dexter was there — informed, relentless, and unapologetic in defense of the pro-life cause.
Dexter’s sister, Mary, reflected on his lifelong love of newspapers and print media. From childhood, when he created and delivered a handwritten neighborhood “newspaper,” to editing his high school paper at Camelback High School, journalism was central to Dexter’s life.
During the turbulent 1960s, he interviewed international figures such as Madame Nhu of Vietnam and traveled with Sen. Barry Goldwater during campaign stops. His career included roles as editorial page editor of The Arizona Republic, work at Arizona Relay, and later service in the editorial department of the Orange County Register during its Pulitzer Prize–winning Olympic coverage. His final professional position was with Vanguard, assisting clients over the phone.
Above all, Dexter was a lifelong Catholic whose faith shaped his work and vocation. Widely respected for his thoughtful, well-researched pro-life writing, he devoted countless unseen hours to research and early-morning writing to meet deadlines. He freelanced extensively before finding a long-term home at The Wanderer, the longest continuously published Catholic newspaper in the United States.
Diagnosed with stage-four esophageal cancer in mid-December 2025, Dexter died on Jan. 15, 2026, fortified by the sacraments of the Church he loved. He will be deeply missed. We pray that when each of us are called home to our Creator, we may hear the words we trust Dexter now hears: “Well done, good and faithful servant . . . enter into the joy of your Master.”
