Bret Douglas Dumler

Bret Douglas Dumler, known in the lunchtime bar trivia world as “Toycan,” by many of his close friends as “Bud,” and affectionately by his niece and nephew as “Bretski,” passed away on April 22 at the University of Colorado Hospital. He was 74 years old.

Bret was born in Denver and spent his early years in Aurora. When he was ten years old, his father was transferred for work and the family moved to Palatine, Illinois. Bret graduated from Palatine High School, where he competed on the gymnastics team, in 1969. He then began studies at Harper College, but the family moved back to Aurora in 1972 and Bret soon started work at UPS.

He initially viewed the UPS opportunity as a short-term detour, a chance to grow his savings for two or three years before resuming college. But Bret enjoyed the work, liked the company and made many friends. His short-term detour as a package delivery driver evolved into a 37-year career as a long-distance feeder driver, during which he won several awards for his outstanding safety record. He took advantage of the long hours driving across the windy plains of Wyoming by listening to books and staying in touch with other truckers by CB radio.

Although he had a solitary occupation, Bret was a social animal. He not only made friends easily, but stayed connected with them, in many cases over several decades. He had a wry sense of humor and a sharp wit. He was also warm, loving and generous.

During his active years, he enjoyed playing basketball, skiing, softball, bowling, golfing, fishing, and camping. He also loved scuba diving, and took many diving trips to Mexico with his close friend and uncle, Pete Seewald. Pete, who had a baby face and was only 18 years older than Bret, preferred to be described as Bret’s “cousin” rather than uncle when they were chatting up women.

When he was in his early 40’s, Bret married Judy Ackerley, who also worked at UPS. Even after the marriage ended, he valued his continued friendship with Judy and cherished his close relationship with Judy’s daughter, Jodi. Shortly after Bret and Judy’s divorce, Jodi married her longtime partner, Chris, and they had two sons who called Bret “Grandpa” until he died. He loved Jodi’s boys, and regularly attended their football, basketball and baseball games to cheer them on. He also enjoyed taking them to Rockies games.

Just before he turned 50, some serious health problems began to plague him, including successive bouts with three different types of cancer. He faced them valiantly, with determination and a resilient spirit. He never complained, even after oral cancer took away his ability to eat, requiring him to receive nourishment through a stomach tube, and also impaired his ability to speak clearly. While his 20+ year longevity far exceeded expectations with the first two cancers, the third – diagnosed only five weeks before he passed - advanced with ruthless speed.

He was an avid trivia player who loved history. He also had extensive knowledge of geography and of sports, which he loved to watch at every opportunity.

Bret will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. He was a beloved brother to Marian Lee of Longmont (Jay) and uncle to Amber Carlson of Wheat Ridge (Andy) and Sean Carlson of Englewood (Charlotte). He was considered a “bonus dad” by Jodi Tillson of Aurora (Chris), a grandpa by Jodi’s sons Kyle Tillson (Lacey) and Ryan Tillson (Ivey), and a great-grandpa to Jodi’s grandson Paul. Bret radiated joy whenever he saw little Paul.

A Celebration of Bret’s Life will be held on Sunday, June 7th at 2:00 pm at Legends of Aurora, 13690 E. Iliff Ave.