Obituary: Douglas M. Dunbar, D.D.S., Known by Many as "Doc," Senior Dentist at Phillips Academy

Obituary from Conte Funeral Home.

Douglas M. Dunbar, D.D.S., 90, of Andover and North Andover, MA, died at the Lahey Clinic Hospital in Burlington, Mass. surrounded by his family on January 5th.

Born in 1924 to Douglas and Mary Dunbar of Cheshire, CT, he was the beloved husband of Ruth H. Dunbar for 59 years. He is also survived by daughter Amy K. Dunbar and husband Ted Hester, and daughter Jean D. Knapp and husband David Knapp, and grandchildren Emily D. Hester, Erin H. and Dewey W. Knapp.

He graduated from Cheshire Academy, Allegheny College, and the University of Pennsylvania Dental School. In WWII, he served in the Navy as a hospital corpsman attached to the 6th Marine Division in the Battle of Okinawa and North China.

Doug, known by many as Doc, practiced dentistry in Andover, and served as senior dentist at Phillips Academy. His crusade for fluoridation led to a 39 year career on Andover’s Board of Health, serving as chair for many of those years. An early ban of smoking in restaurants and public areas was also his fond accomplishment.

He and his wife, Rusty, were co-recipients of Andover’s 2007 Virginia Cole Community Service Award. Baseball for Doc was #1 at all stages of his life: Little League manager and umpire, he played on numerous local hard and softball teams into his sixties, attended four baseball Fantasy Camps in his late sixties and early seventies, and was MVP at a Red Sox Fantasy Camp game at the age of 69. Tennis was also important, playing and enjoying time on the court with his tennis buddies into his eighties, and umpiring professionally. Good innings all around.

A memorial service will be held when pitchers and catchers are playing ball and full military honors can be enjoyed outside. Memorial donations can be made to The Trustees of Reservations-Ward Reservation in Andover, AVIS, or a charity of your choosing. For online condolences please visit our website at www.contefuneralhomes.com