Robert Stephen Dumont

May 3, 1946 – May 29, 2015

            With great sadness we announce the passing of Dr. Robert Dumont on Friday evening at Stensrud Lodge with his loving wife Philippine (Phil) Schaan-Dumont and devoted daughter Marie at his side.

            Rob grew up in Vancouver. The family consisted of his parents, Dr. Hubert Dumont M.D. (1995) and Margaret (Winterburn) (1998) and twelve children – Jack, Jim, Ruth, Richard (Fr. Mark), Robert, Bill, Catherine, Elizabeth, Joan, Ronald (2010), Norman, and Barbara, plus two special cousins Rea and Betty.

            Rob attended Vancouver College and upon graduation in 1963 received the Governor General Award. He was inducted into the Vancouver College Hall of Honour in 2013. In 1968 he graduated from UBC as a mechanical engineer. He then volunteered for CUSO teaching at the Kenya Polytechnic University in Nairobi, Kenya. In 1970 he moved to Saskatoon and received his MSc and PhD from the U of S. Rob is recognized globally as an accomplished research scientist in the planning of energy efficient buildings and indoor air quality. While working with the National and Saskatchewan Research Councils, he had a strong sense of integrity and responsibility. He worked on many committees including the Energy Management Taskforce, the Canadian Standards Association, and won numerous awards for his work. Included are Canada’s National Energy Efficiency Award (1999) for the family residence, in November 2014 the leadership award from Building Saskatchewan Green, and last month his team won the Passivhaus pioneer award in Leipzig, Germany for the Saskatchewan Conservation House they built and designed in 1977.

            Rob’s life was enriched with both his marriage to Philippine Schaan in 1988 and the arrival of their precious daughter a year later. He was a steadfast support in both their interests and found much pleasure in attending Marie’s many, many activities.

            Rob traveled the world through his work and also made many fond memories traveling with his family to the Maritimes, Costa Rica, Mexico, listening to Marie sing in Europe with the Saskatoon Children’s Choir, taking Phil’s parents to Germany, and revisited Africa in 2009 a year after he retired.

            During his lifetime he treasured the fun times he spent at Rosen Lake (near Fernie, BC) where his grandparents invested in the lake property in 1929. Over the past fifteen years Rob was instrumental in building an energy-efficient cabin there using many recycled materials.

            Rob was a man of faith, an avid reader, an accomplished writer, enjoyed singing and listening to classical music. He had a deep concern for his extended family, Phil’s parents Chris (2013) and Mary Schaan, her seven siblings, and especially his many nieces and nephews on both sides. They recall many of his quotes and riddles he recited to them while they were growing up. He compiled many family books and kept the family connected through the Transworld Express – a collection of letters and photos sent to family members twice yearly. Family gatherings, five-year reunions for Vancouver College and UBC engineers, and the 50th reunion for CUSO in July 2011 were important celebrations not to be missed. Phil and Rob hosted many family holiday suppers at their home and at the lake, where Rob always added, “God bless the cook(s)” after the blessing of the food.

Rob loved basketball. He played for Vancouver College and in 1963 his team, the CYO Saints, won the Canadian Jr. Basketball Championship. He also was a U of S Huskies fan and frequented their games.

A quiet man of few wants, Rob loved the simple things in life and believed in the underdog. He worked hard to improve housing conditions, whether it was in Northern Saskatchewan, Africa, or elsewhere. He had a deep commitment to social justice and the environment. Until he got sick in 2011, he was on the Saskatoon Diocese Development and Peace executive for 15 years. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Development and Peace, 1425 René-Lévesque Blvd West, 3rd Floor, Montreal, QC, H3G 1T7, or the Saskatchewan Environmental Society, Box 1372 Saskatoon, SK, S7K 3N9.

On May 19th, 2011, Rob was diagnosed with grade 4 glioblastoma brain cancer. After treatment, he beat the odds and was able to enjoy trips to BC to visit all his family, Hawaii, and Southern USA. Following their 25th Anniversary party in 2013, Rob and Phil were delighted to travel to the Philippines and South Korea with Marie who was working as an English teacher outside of Seoul. Last June, the tumour reappeared. Rob accepted his cross valiantly with no complaint. We would like to thank Dr. Adam Wu, Dr. John Dosman, Dr. A. Nayar, and the staff at the Cancer Clinic, RUH and City Hospital for their care. Stensrud Lodge was Rob’s home for his last four months. All the love and care from the staff, residents and caregivers was greatly appreciated and will always be remembered. Thank you also to Fr. Phong Pham, Fr. Les Paquin, Fr. Lawrence DeMong, Fr. Dan Yanski, and Fr. Ken Beck who gave us spiritual support.

             Celebrations of Rob’s life will be at Our Lady of Lourdes Church 1235 – 12th St. East with Funeral Prayers on Fri. June 5th at 8:00pm, and the Mass of Christian Burial on Sat. June 6th at 10:30am.  Arrangements in care of David Polzen - MOURNING GLORY FUNERAL SERVICES (306-978-5200)