Ira Hugh Dubinsky, June 2, 1939 – October 1, 2025

Ira Dubinsky, PhD, cross-trainer, nature buff, symphony fan, car enthusiast, and fix-it man, who helped many overcome their fears and phobias, passed away peacefully in his sleep on October 1, 2025, in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. He had an exacting eye for detail, never met a Patagonia jacket he didn’t like, and drew great satisfaction from helping others in his practice. Over the course of 86 years, life may have offered him various modes of transport – fast cars, running shoes, bicycle wheels among them – but he never quite stopped moving or caring.

Ira was born on June 2, 1939, in St. Louis, Missouri, to the late Melvin and Harriette (Greenberg) Dubinsky. In his younger, fleeter days, he worked for his family’s real estate company before finding his calling as a clinical psychologist specializing in anxiety disorders. His wife until his death, Lynn (Conrad) Dubinsky, whom he married in 1978, joined him in practice first in St. Louis, Missouri and then in semiretirement in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. In their later years, they offered services to many for low or no fee, taking pleasure in just making a difference.

Many older folks might remember Ira for his love of fast, brightly-colored cars, which he often parked discreetly away from people in parking lots; others might remember him as the man in red workout clothes running up and down Woods Mill Road at the crack of dawn; still others might have seen him skiing or hiking or biking or just getting his steps in every day. Ira was a health advocate and shared his wisdom with everyone in earshot. His family also knew him as someone who could repair almost anything and, for that among many reasons, was a godsend to his parents and close family.

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Most importantly, perhaps, Ira increasingly tried hard to be good to people, to appreciate each moment, and to live life fully. 

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughter Tamara Dubinsky and her husband Steve Farmer, son Joshua Dubinsky and his wife Vicki (Sarner) Dubinsky, children of former wife Roslyn (Lewin) Dubinsky; daughter Elizabeth Daoust and her husband Mark Daoust, and daughter Emily Dubinsky and her partner, George Eliades, children of wife, Lynn. He leaves six grandchildren: Kahl, Lucy, Annie, Jack, Phoebe, and Bram. He also leaves a sister, Sunny (Dubinsky) Pervil and husband Alan Pervil, multiple nieces and nephews, and their children.

Donations may be made in memory of Ira to Northwest Colorado Health or the Steamboat Symphony Orchestra.