Adelbert W. Duskin was born in Siloam Springs, Arkansas on October 14, 1912, to William and Jane Duskin. In 1934, Adelbert graduated from the University of Arkansas with a degree in chemical engineering. While at the University, Duskin was a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity and the ROTC; upon graduation, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserve. On June 17, 1936, Adelbert married Dorothy Mae Wheeler of Fayetteville, Arkansas, and had one son, Joel Duskin, born on September 11, 1938.

In 1940, Duskin began active duty as a first lieutenant in the Army Ordinance Corps. In this role he was stationed at two ordnance plants, ammunition manufacturing facilities, in Maryland and Tennessee. In April 1943, Duskin was sent overseas to North Africa and Italy, where he served as a division ordinance officer in the 92nd Infantry Division during the Italian Campaign. In 1945, Duskin was discharged with the rank of lieutenant colonel and returned to Crossett, Arkansas. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his service during World War II. Duskin remained in the U.S. Army Reserve until 1972, when he retired with the rank of colonel. In 1975, Duskin retired from Georgia-Pacific, a pulp and paper company, where he worked as director of customer technical services. After retirement, Adelbert and Dorothy traveled widely to places such as China, Australia, and Russia. On October 28, 2001, Adelbert W. Duskin died in North Richland Hills, Texas.