Robert Nickerson Dunham

            Robert Nickerson Dunham, Wellsboro businessman for more than 45 years and owner of Dunham’s Furniture, died October 18, 2017 at Roswell Park Hospital in Buffalo, NY after a brief illness. He was 75 years old. He was the youngest son of the late Frank and Mercedes Nickerson Dunham of Wellsboro and brother of the late R. James Dunham, II. He is survived by his brother John (Nancy) of Wellsboro; sister-in-law, Miriam of Norfolk, VA; nieces: Judy Shaal of Delaware, Ohio; Ellen (Shawn) Bryant and Ann (Joe) Rawson of Wellsboro; nephews:R. James, III (Dianne) of Wellsboro; Peter of Morristown, NJ; and Bruce (Carol) of Jarrettsville, MD. Step nephews surviving are Duncan, Richard and John Hopkins (Aimee) and step nieces are Elizabeth Barge (Hal) and Susan Fleischman. Extended family survivors are Hector Hernandez and Kitty Chacon.

            Bob was a 1960 graduate of Wellsboro High School followed by a Post Graduate year at Wyoming Seminary in Kingston, PA. He entered Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ with the class of 1965; however, he interrupted his education to take care of his obligation to Uncle Sam, in the U.S. Army. Following that, he went into the furniture business in Wellsboro, eventually opening a La Z Boy gallery. After the furniture business was running smoothly, he returned to Princeton and completed his undergraduate work, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Organ Performance.

            In addition to his strong musical aptitude, Bob had a lifelong fondness for horses, and began riding at an early age with the Wellsboro Riding Club. (Once he rode a horse to his family’s residence on Sherwood St. in Wellsboro where he thought he would keep it in the barn. He was strongly encouraged by his mother to return the horse to the stables. He complied.) He won hundreds of ribbons through the years for his skillful performances at horse shows. In 1994 he won the Grand National and World Championship fine harness competition with his Morgan.     

            Combining his horsemanship and his musical career, Bob was encouraged by several northeastern show managers to play the organ at horse competitions. Eventually, on the weekends, he was either playing the organ for the shows or competing with his horse, showing Tennessee Walkers or Morgans. He also was in frequent demand as a substitute organist in local churches. He was a giant in his performances, always practicing diligently before each occasion, thrilling congregations with his dexterity and musicality.

            Bob was a man with many, many friends and he stayed in touch with them. He was a serious admirer of automobiles. One of his most prized possessions was the 1937 Oldsmobile Business Coupe, formerly owned by his Grandmother Nickerson. He invested great sums into the perfect restoration of that lovely car and on Sundays he often would be found “motoring” throughout Tioga County.

            Bob was a director of the Wellsboro Hotel Company for more than 35 years. He was a member of the United Methodist Church of Wellsboro; a Director of the Wellsboro Riding Club; member of the Organist Guild and a former director of the Clemens Center.

            Bob Dunham was a fine gentleman with impeccable manners and a generous spirit. As a testament to the breadth of his generosity and his lifelong love for Wellsboro, his will calls for the establishment of the Dunham Family Foundation, which will be committed to the benefit of the Wellsboro community. He established the Foundation in honor of his grandparents Roy J. and Fannie Treat Dunham, his parents Frank L. and Mercedes Nickerson Dunham, and his brothers R. James Dunham, II and John F. Dunham

Memorial Service for Robert N. Dunham: Friday, November 3, 2017,  2 P.M.

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church   Pearl St., Wellsboro, PA.

Officiants: Rev. Canon Gregory Hinton and Pastor Rich Hanlon, United Methodist Church, Wellsboro.

The family will be responsible for flowers in the church. Those wishing to make a gift in memory of Bob may donate to the Dunham Family Foundation, c/o Trust Department, C&N Bank 90-92 Main Street, Wellsboro, PA 16901.

Local arrangements are entrusted to Tussey-Mosher Funeral Home, 139 Main St. Wellsboro, PA. To share your fondest memories and sign Bob’s guestbook, visit www.tusseymosher.com

 Service Information