Robert E. Dumas, PhD

Robert E. Dumas, PhD, 76, of Gardner, passed away peacefully Monday, February 3, 2025, at Heywood Hospital, surrounded by his loving family. 

Born in Boston on July 23, 1948, he was the son of the late Margaret (Gill) and C. Robert Dumas. He graduated from Catholic Memorial High School with the Class of 1966. Robert was a United States Army Vietnam War Veteran based in Korea, serving from 1971 to 1972, where he received the National Defense Service Medal and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. Following his military service, he received his Bachelor of Science from Peter Bent Brigham Hospital School of Nursing in 1979 and would later go on to receive his Doctorate in Psychiatric Nursing from the University of Arizona in 1999. 

Robert was a Nursing Professor at Fitchburg State University until his retirement in 2019 as well as the Chair of their Graduate Forensic Nursing Program. He was beloved by the countless students he educated and mentored over his 20 year teaching career. 

Robert was a brilliant thinker and avid learner, who loved reading, watching films & tv, studying, bird watching, and spending time outdoors. He was a born educator, and found great joy teaching his children, students, friends, and family throughout his life.

Robert is survived by his children, Myles Dumas and Katy Mierzejewski and their partners, Catherine Hays and Arren Mierzejewski; brothers, James Dumas and his wife Marilyn, John Dumas and his wife Margie, Michael Dumas and his wife Mary Sue, William Dumas and his wife Michelle; sisters, Nancy White and her husband James and Joan Gear and her husband Richard; many cousins, nephews, and nieces; and granddaughters, Maggie and Maeve Mierzejewski. 

Calling Hours will be held Friday, February 21, 2025, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the Boucher Funeral Home, Inc., 110 Nichols Street, Gardner, MA. Funeral Services will follow at 5:00 p.m. in the funeral home. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Department of Nursing at Fitchburg State University. Please search the “nursing” fund, and reference in memory of Robert E. Dumas, (www.alumni.fitchburgstate.edu/g/general-giving).