Obituary of Robert Edward Dumas

Dumas, Robert Edward of Orono, left this world on March 25th, 2019 after 93 years. Although he was best known as a Postmaster of Long Lake and the owner of the Dumas Apple Orchard, his skills and experiences were numerous and diverse: serving in the Marine Corps in Okinawa during WWII, piloting single-engine planes, instructing young people in the art of fencing at the YMCA, presiding over the Orono Lion's Club and the Orono PTA, performing with the Orono Singers, Anthony Players, Minnetonka Choral Society and the Arden Consort, organizing a chess club, raising prize dahlias, directing local variety shows and turning an abandoned farmhouse into a 'haunted mansion.' Bob was an inveterate designer, builder, artist and engineer. His hobbies included constructing theater pipe organs, nickelodeons, band organs, player pianos, wooden statues and bowls, model trains (around the ceiling), stained glass windows, dollhouses and grave stones. His larger, more dangerous projects were his 'go-devil' (an airplane engine mounted on skis), a backyard zipline, a rope tow, several go-carts, an iceboat, a carnival airplane ride, and a 60-foot antenna for his ham radio. Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Beatrice Dumas, infant son Paul, daughter Theresa Dumas Piotrowski, two sisters and a brother. He is survived by his wife Kathryn (Gleason), sons Roger (Cinda) and Edward (Vilai), daughter Marilyn Gabert (Bill), grandchildren Evan (Whitney), Ariel, Tyler Gabert (Meghan), Dustin Gabert (Sheila), Sarah Piotrowski, Aaron Piotrowski, and great-grandaughter Mackenzie Gabert. Also survived by sister, Anita Espinel. In accordance with Bob's wishes, no service will be held. Memorials may be sent to the Western Hennepin County Pioneer Museum, PO Box 332, Long Lake, MN 55356.