On February 21, 2025, the world lost a great guy when Lauren "Duff" Herbert Cummings Jr., 74, of West Lebanon, NH passed peacefully after a long hard-fought battle with respiratory disease, one of the very few things that Duff couldn't fix himself.

As a man of God who took great pride in his own sobriety and helping others on that path, he'd narrowed his vices to Marlboros, Cherry Coke, and live music.

On stage, Duff kept rhythm and harmony as bass player over the years with bands Frydaddy, Spare Parts, and Reckless Breakfast. Behind the scenes as Stage Manager at Lebanon Opera House, he stewarded world-class touring musicians, Upper Valley-based performing arts groups, and thousands of local student-artists. Duff treated them all the same and made sure their moment in the spotlight was truly special. His work with LOH dates back to 1969 when, as a college student, he helped revive the dormant theater and "bring it out of mothballs." Nearly every LOH show for the past 56 years has had his fingerprints on it. Duff was an artist.

An unassuming man who preferred being backstage to the spotlight, he would occasionally let slip fascinating tidbits from his storied history, such as when he'd "helped open the Reichhold Center for the Arts in Saint Thomas, Virgin Islands" or "floated logs down the Connecticut River to help rebuild Titcomb cabin on Gilman Island with the Dartmouth Outing Club." Duff loved to help.

Duff was a 1972 graduate of Dartmouth College, and a talented wordsmith who edited his alumni class notes and wrote in a precise yet poetic style that flowed effortlessly and linearly from his pen. Duff was a writer.

A life-long hunter and fisherman, he co-founded Mink Brook Outfitters and was at peace alongside the Connecticut River from its headwaters in his beloved Pittsburg, N.H., to his home in West Lebanon. Duff was an outdoorsman.

He was a founding member of Friends of River Park, where he was instrumental in building trails and hosting a Hootenanny alongside the river. When you lent him a tool or piece of equipment, he returned it in better condition and fully tuned up. Duff was a great neighbor.

During his 45-year career he was a Hanover Police, Hanover Fire/EMT, and Dartmouth Safety and Security Sergeant Investigator, he ensured a safe and secure "best four years of their life" for countless students. But the most important call he ever went on was in 1997 when he met Sandra Lemery of Barre, VT. They would be married for 25 years. He is survived by Sandy and their beloved dogs Seamus and Callie. Duff brought her to her first ballet, first live concert and first plane ride to Henly, Texas for a week-long stay at their friend's ranch. He opened up the world to her and together they walked through it hand-in-hand. Duff was a devoted husband.

Duff was born on July 1, 1950, in Windsor, Vt. to Lauren Herbert Cummings, Sr. and Dorothy (Lewis) Cummings, and grew up in Hartland, VT. He is predeceased by his parents, brother Duncan Cummings of Quechee, and survived by his wife, Sandy, and his nephew Ian Cummings and wife, Evelyn of Hartland. Many others whose lives he touched lovingly called him "Uncle Duff." Duff was a great friend.

A celebration of Duff's life will be held on stage at Lebanon Opera House on Monday, March 3rd, at 5:30pm. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Duff's memory to LOH: PO Box 384, Lebanon, NH 03766.

Knight Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.