Michael Joseph Dougher

Dr. Michael Joseph Dougher, of Albuquerque, 71, passed away on Saturday, December 18, 2021. He died doing what he loved - 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 - 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).