Obituary of Fr. Wilfred M. Dumm

DUMM– Father Wilfred M., OSB, a monk of St. Vincent Archabbey, died Friday, Sept. 23, 2011. Born June 30, 1920, son of the son of the late Gordon and Esther (Kirsch) Dumm of Ebensburg. He was the oldest of nine children, which included two sets of twins. His sisters are Dolores Demma, Lusby, Md.; Imogene Reidy, Silver Spring, Md.; and Roselyn Colella, Olney, Md. His brothers are Father Demetrius Dumm OSB, also a monk of the archabbey; Donald Dumm, Ebensburg; Patrick Dumm, Summerhill; Frederick Thomas, Tyrone; and Clair J. Dumm, Ebensburg. He attended Bradley School, a one-room grade school in East Carroll Township. He then attended St. Vincent Preparatory School in Latrobe, from which he was graduated in 1937. He entered St. Vincent College in the fall of 1937. In 1939, he was accepted into the novitiate of St. Vincent Archabbey and made simple profession of vows on July 2, 1940. He graduated from St. Vincent College in 1942. He made solemn profession of vows on July 11, 1943, and was ordained a priest by the late Hugh C. Boyle, Bishop of Pittsburgh, on Nov. 4, 1945. He pursued post- graduate studies in physics and mathematics at Fordham University, the University of Pennsylvania, Rutgers University, the University of Maryland, Temple University and Penn State University. He served in various posts at St. Vincent, including dorm moderator at the college from 1946 to 1950 and 1951 to 1952. At the same time, he was a physics instructor at the college and math and physics instructor in the prep school. He served on the Men’s Retreat Board from 1945 to 1952 and as chaplain at St. Xavier Academy, Latrobe, from 1956 to 1967. He was assigned to the faculty of Benedictine Military School, Savannah, Ga., teaching physics, math and electronics from 1967 to 1996. He also served as procurator and subprior of Benedictine Priory. After his retirement in 1996, he was assigned to serve as director of alumni for the school. He was a member of the United States Power Squadrons since 1968, an organization of sail and motor boaters dedicated to safe boating and to maritime education from seamanship to celestial navigation, and held the grade of navigator. In 1986, he was asked to serve as national chaplain and served in that capacity until January 2002. He also served as district chaplain and Tybee Light Squadron chaplain. Father Wilfred was an amateur radio operator, holding an advanced class license. He wrote poetry, and also authored a booklet, “A Beacon of Prayer.” In 2010, he was honored by St. Vincent College Alumni Association with its Alumnus of Distinction Award, in recognition of meritorious service and commitment to St. Vincent. The body of Father Wilfred will be received in the Elizabeth J. Roderick Center on the St. Vincent campus at 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25. Viewing will follow from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. and on Monday, Sept. 26, from 3 to 5 p.m. The body will be transferred to the Archabbey Basilica for the vigil service at 7:15 p.m. Monday. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Archabbot Douglas R. Nowicki, OSB, at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 27, followed by the Rite of Committal in the St. Vincent Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Benedictine Health and Welfare Fund of Saint Vincent Archabbey, 300 Fraser Purchase Road, Latrobe, Pa. 15650.