Michael Dougher Obituary

Dr. Michael Joseph Dougher

Dr. Michael

Joseph Dougher, of Albuquerque, 71, passed away on Saturday, December 18, 2021. He died doing what he loved â€" winning at pickleball.

Mike was born on November 15, 1950, in Dearborn, Michigan. He was the first child of Joan (Beiss) and Raymond Dougher. His family moved to Los Angeles, California when he was five and he spent his formative years surfing, playing football, working at a hot dog stand, and getting kicked out of numerous Catholic schools.

Mike was a professor of Psychology for 38 years at the University of New Mexico, but his distinguished career went far beyond this title. He received his undergraduate degree at the University of California Los Angeles and his PhD and training in clinical psychology at the University of Illinois, Chicago. He was a mentor of twenty-five doctoral students and received numerous awards, including the University of New Mexico teacher of the year award and the Don Hake Award, a prestigious research award from the American Psychological Association. In addition to his role as a professor, Mike served as the psychology department's director of clinical training and department chair, associate dean of research of the College of Arts and Sciences, and then as the University of New Mexico's vice-president for research. Mike made significant contributions to the University of New Mexico community and the profession of psychology. He served as President of Association for Behavioral Analysis International (ABAI), which afforded him the opportunity to meet, mentor, and learn from colleagues around the world. He retired in 2016 but continued his significant academic editorial contributions.

Mike is survived by his wife, Kathy (Nolan), his daughter Megan (Mark) of Denver, his son Timothy (Ashley) of Denver, his wife's daughters Jennifer and Holly, his granddaughters Lily and Alice, grandsons Bruno and Albert, his grandson set to arrive in June 2022, his sister Joanne Bradshaw, and countless students and friends around the world. He is preceded in death by his mother, father, and brothers Patrick and Raymond.

Mike lived a big life. He never missed an opportunity to travel with his wife, learn something new, encourage curiosity in his students, have a meaningful conversation with friends, connect with his kids, or tell his grandkids they were special. Besides his family and friends, skiing gave him the purest joy â€" especially skiing with his son. In retirement, he was a ski instructor at Santa Fe Mountain. His life was full, but not long enough for all the people who loved him so deeply.

In lieu of flowers, Mike's family asks for donations to the Roadrunner Foodbank (5840 Office Blvd NE Albuquerque, NM 87109). Please visit our online guestbook for Michael at www.FrenchFunerals.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Albuquerque Journal on Dec. 26, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Michael Dougher

4 Entries

David L. Pogge, Ph.D.

December 30, 2022

I only learned of Mike's passing a few months ago. At that time I left a brief note, but I still had not fully processed this news and I am afraid that my words were too brief and too simple.

I would not have the career I have had, nor would I have become the person I have been, without having known Mike Dougher. I entered the doctoral program at UNM the year that he joined the faculty and it was not long before I first met him and realized that I wanted to work with him. Unlike most mentors, Mike did not insist that I do the work that he was doing nor demands that I embrace the ideas that he believed in. But he did insist that I explain and justify my research ideas and the many other notions that I was struggling with at the time. He always challenged me to think hard, but did so in a manner that was encouraging and inspiring. He was never harsh, critical, unfair, or too busy. At the time it thought that this was typical of all professors and all graduate school experiences. It was only with the passage of time that I realized that Mike's availability, integrity, rigor, and respect for others were exceedingly rare and invaluable. I have tried to work with students and supervisees in a manner modeled on that which I experienced with Mike; but I suspect that my efforts have been, at best, a pale imitation. There is only one Mike Dougher.

I spoke to Mike only rarely after I completed my degree and saw him even less. Now I realize how foolish that was, but it always seems as though there is more time to do things than turns out to be the case. I last saw him when I took my wife and children to vacation in New Mexico about 10 years ago. My wife and I had a wonderful evening with Mike and Kathy, and I think about it often. The thought that I will never see him again remains difficult to fathom.

Mike taught me many things about psychology, about being a real scientist and a true scholar, and about being a human being. All of those lessons continue to influence my life on a day-to-day basis, and there is rarely a day that has gone by in the past 40 years that I have not thought about something I learned from Mike. I am infinitely richer for having known him, and the world is immeasurably poorer for having lost him.

David Pogge

April 12, 2022

Mike was my mentor at UNM, and there is no one who had a greater impact on my life. Not a day goes by that I am not influenced by something that I learned from him. The world will be a poorer place now that he is gone.

Shea Werner

December 29, 2021

Dr. Dougher was the Chair of the Psychology Department as well as my Psych 101 professor when I attended UNM from 1993-1997. Although I was already interested in Psychology before I began my undergraduate degree, there is no question that taking Dr. Dougher´s class took my interest to the next level. His passion for Psychology paired with his dedication to ensuring student success played a pivotal role in my educational growth and career trajectory. During my four years at UNM he was always available to provide course and career advice. He was direct, funny, and always gave no-nonsense encouragement. This was a huge confidence builder to me as a young woman who was often questioning my abilities. I went on from there to work in many areas of psychology and eventually received my Masters Degree in Counseling. I am now a practicing psychotherapist.

Dr. Dougher had not crossed my mind in many years but tonight as I was thinking about the next phase of my career, I thought of him. As I came across his obituary and realized that he just passed away last week, I felt moved to write this. I told my husband what an influence Dr. Dougher had on me and my husband said, "A good teacher can change your life." That´s exactly what Dr. Dougher did for me and so many other students. My deepest and heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.

Randall Garland, Ph.D.

December 27, 2021

Mike was a bright, fun-loving guy and a skilled clinical supervisor. He mentored me through my Ph.D.--- not an easy task--- and significantly influenced my professional career. He was a great support for me during my graduate education. Rest in peace.

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