‘Dr. Bob’ Duncanson Remembered For Dedication, Expertise

 CHATHAM – Dr. Robert Duncanson, whose guidance on environmental issues helped make the town a leader among Cape towns in wastewater planning and coastal resource management, passed away suddenly Monday, Dec. 15.

 Dr. Duncanson retired as Chatham’s director of natural resources in 2023 after more than 35 years with the town. A cause of death was not reported. He was 68 years old, according to an obituary published online.

 Regarded as one of the Cape’s top experts in water quality and wastewater planning, Dr. Duncanson was the architect of the town’s comprehensive wastewater management plan, the first on the Cape to receive state approval. He was also instrumental in launching coastal water quality monitoring programs, training hundreds of citizen volunteers to collect water samples and data, much of which became the basis for the town’s wastewater plan.

 “Bob’s breadth of knowledge and experience established him as a regional leader on water quality and other environmental issues,” said Pleasant Bay Alliance Coordinator Carole Ridley. “Bob relied on science to understand a problem, identify solutions, and make informed decisions.”

 Known informally as “Dr. Bob,” Dr. Duncanson eventually became the town’s first natural resources director, overseeing the health, coastal resources, harbormaster and conservation divisions. 

“When he retired, he left very big shoes to fill,” said Greg Berman, who succeeded Dr. Duncanson as natural resources director. “Even then (despite his amazing world travels), he continued to check in, offer guidance, and share his institutional knowledge.” 

Dr. Duncanson was hired in 1987 to run the town’s water quality laboratory at a time when many suspected that a drop in coastal water quality was behind shellfish closures and the disappearance of eelgrass. Dr. Duncanson suspected that failed septic systems were a major part of the program, and began a program of tracking down systems through expanded water testing, eventually recruiting volunteer “water watchers” to collect data following strict procedures to ensure accuracy. Much of that data became the basis for the town’s comprehensive wastewater management plan.

Betsy Mosser worked with Dr. Duncanson for years as the coordinator for the Friends of Chatham Waterways coastal water monitoring program. “He was incredible,” she said in an email, “always so helpful, knowledgeable, thorough and generous with his time. He trained our volunteers every season and collected and coordinated our water samples after each testing. He was always gracious and appreciated our time and efforts, even when we would make mistakes. I don’t know what we will do without him!” FCW recognized Dr. Duncanson’s contributions with its Captain’s Award last August.

Dr. Duncanson was a natural leader and teacher, say former colleagues. 

“He singlehandedly trained hundreds of citizen scientists to collect water quality data,” noted Ridley. “He taught not only how to collect the data, but why certain data were collected and what it meant to our understanding of water quality. This fostered a tremendous sense of dedication, because volunteers understood the importance of their efforts.”

“He had an incredible ability to share complex information in a way that was accessible,” added Berman, “whether he was speaking with scientists, municipal staff or the public.”

Dr. Duncanson had a wide understanding of the issues his departments dealt with, ranging from the environment to health regulations and erosion, and gave the people he worked with wide latitude in their work.

“He really let us deal with our own divisions and he insulated us so we could do our jobs,” said Ted Keon, the town’s former coastal resources director. “He really was the face of the department.” 

“His door was always open,” added former conservation agent Kristin Andres. “Bob was one of the most dedicated, hardworking people I’ve ever known, and for that he had my respect.”

Keon said he could not think of any other staff member who had a bigger impact on the town. Select Board Chair Dean Nicastro agreed. 

“I’ve never seen anybody better,” he said. “He had an incredible diligence and encyclopedic mind. He had great institutional memory.” Dr. Duncanson was always personable and patient, especially when dealing with the public, Nicastro said, whether before a town board or when working with regional organizations. “He’s going to be very widely and sorely missed by people all over the Cape.”

The early development of the town’s wastewater plan under Dr. Duncanson’s guidance not only set “the gold standard” for other Cape towns but positioned the town to receive zero interest loans and grants that saved taxpayers millions, Keon said. 

“We’d be a lot further behind the eight ball by now if he hadn’t gotten so deeply involved in those things,” said Andrew Young, a former select board and conservation commission member. “We really owed him a lot.”

Dr. Duncanson also helped steer the town’s response to the COVID pandemic. 

“I can’t say enough about how much his guidance meant to me during the COVID pandemic,” said Health Agent Judith Giorgio. “I truly could not have done it without his steady leadership. I remember at the beginning of the pandemic, he and I were often the only ones in the office, working side by side to understand the situation and determine how best to guide the community. He was a hard worker, a great boss, and a genuinely kind person. He will be deeply missed.”

Dr. Duncanson continued to consult with the town after his retirement, according to Town Manager Jill Goldsmith. Along with working with the coastal water sampling program, he also consulted on a half dozen projects under the Natural Resource Conservation Service-funded Cape Cod Water Resources Restoration Project, including stormwater remediation and investigations into new culverts at Frost Fish Creek and the Ryder’s Cove herring run.

“Dr. Bob was such a humble gentleman, consummate professional, and a great pleasure to work with,” Goldsmith said in an email. “No words can describe the loss of his institutional knowledge to not only Chatham but to our municipal, county, and non-profit partners.”

Born in Teaneck, N.J., Dr. Duncanson earned a bachelor’s degree in microbiology from the University of Miami and later received a Ph.D. in the same subject from the University of Rhode Island. He served in the Coast Guard and Coast Guard Reserve in Cape May, N.J., Castle Hill, R.I., and at a seasonal station in Osterville. 

Dr. Duncanson was a world traveler and especially enjoyed cruises. He was also a big Disney fan, as shown by the many Disney figures and memorabilia that decorated his office.

Dr. Duncanson, who lived in Marstons Mills, is survived by his wife, Dr. Dale Saad. His obituary requested that to honor him, “be the best you can be, try your hardest to help others and pay it forward. Robert lived this to the end, being an organ donor.” Donations in his memory can be made to the Cape Cod Times Neighbors Fund.

A celebration of Dr. Duncanson’s life will be held in the spring.

“There will never be another Dr. Bob,” said Berman, “but his mission and memory live on in the many people and programs he shaped.”