Robert Edward Doerr

Robert Edward Doerr died in Traverse City on September 19 at Cherry Hill Haven Lodge surrounded by loved ones and care givers after struggling with ill health for several months. Bob was born in Traverse City on August 9, 1921. He was the oldest child of the late Harry (“Bud”) and Neva (Sessions) Doerr, brother of the late Dale A. Doerr, and the grandson of the late Peter and Anna (Lannin) Doerr, and Herbert and Lillian Mae (Gardner) Sessions, all of Traverse City. He graduated from Traverse City High School (class of 1939) and was probably best remembered for his dance band which he conducted from the piano. Bob graduated from Western Michigan University in 1943 with a major in music – choral conducting and piano. He was able to graduate from college early, and he served as a 2nd Lieutenant in the First Cavalry division of the U.S. Army in World War II. On September 22, 1945, he married Mary Blanchard (class of 1940) daughter of the late William C. and Blanche (Coleman) Blanchard of Traverse City. In 1946, following his discharge from the service, Bob entered the University of Michigan School of Dentistry from which he graduated with his D.D.S. in 1950 and his M.S. in Operative Dentistry in 1953. He then served as an instructor, then assistant and associate professor, full professor, associate dean and then interim dean, until his retirement in 1986. During those years, Bob served the greater dental profession at the county, state and national levels. He sat on or chaired numerous committees at the Dental School, was president of the Washtenaw Dental Society, Michigan Dental Association (president and then editor of the Journal of the MDA), American Dental Association (editor of the Journal of the American Dental Association), committee chair of several committees, and finally, served as president of the American College of Dentists, to name just a few. Within the University of Michigan, Bob served on the Faculty Senate Advisory Committee on University Affairs and Financial Affairs, the Intercollegiate Board of Control for Athletics, and the Executive Board, as well as serving on many other boards and committees. One of the most rewarding and difficult undertakings of his career was as coordinator for the construction of the new School of Dentistry. Other than the building of the Mackinac Bridge, this was, at the time, the largest amount of money that the State of Michigan had ever expended on a construction project - $13.6 million. Additionally, Bob made approximately 110 formal presentations throughout the United States, Canada, Japan and Europe, and wrote or contributed to over 95 articles. He served also as a dental education consultant for the Pan American Health Organization, and was traveling in Cuba with that organization at the time of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. While a resident of Ann Arbor Bob served as a Rotarian, an Elder of the First Presbyterian Church, and as a trustee and vice - president of the Ann Arbor Board of Education. He and Mary could be found most home football game days at the stadium in seats they held for over 50 years. As a Traverse City resident for the last twenty-one years, Bob remained an ardent though “armchair fan” of University of Michigan athletics, especially football and basketball, until his last days. In 1967 Bob and Mary bought a cottage on Long Lake peninsula. They returned permanently to Traverse City in 1993 to their remodeled year around home. Since that time and until a few years ago they spent their summer and fall seasons there, then entire years on Long Lake, entertaining their children and grandchildren. Until four years ago, their winters were spent in the Florida Keys, where Bob loved to fish and play tennis. Over years, Bob has been actively involved in the Traverse City community, and he was especially active in township and peninsula governments, and in lake quality and land conservancy issues. Bob served as president of both the Long Lake Township and the Long Lake Peninsula associations for several years. Bob was an active Rotarian, and he and Mary were active members of Central United Methodist Church where they sang in the choir. They actively supported the arts at Interlochen. Bob continued his love of music by playing the keyboard for Central United Methodist “Church in the Park,” a position he enjoyed for over twenty- five summers. Even with all his professional responsibilities, community activities and accolades, Bob’s family was his greatest source of pride and satisfaction. He and Mary raised their three children, Katie, Tom and Dee in Ann Arbor, where he and Mary lived until 1993. Bob is survived by his wife of almost 69 years, Mary, who now resides at Cherry Hill Haven, and by their three children, Kathleen (Katie) Parker (Bill), Thomas Doerr (Rita Duvall), and Diana (Dee) Kehrberg (Mark), and their grandchildren: Christian Parker, Matthew Parker (Krista), Jennifer (Doerr) Maddin (Russ), William Doerr, Lori Ann Doerr, Jack Doerr, Sam Doerr, Sarah (Kehrberg) LaMaster (Chris), and Andrew Kehrberg, and several great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his niece and nephews – Steven Doerr, Margo (Doerr) Copley (Larry), Bret Doerr (Ann) and his sister-in-law, Elizabeth (Betty) Doerr. The family wishes to give a special thank you to the caregivers at Cherry Hill Haven Lodge: Nancy, Lesa, Katie, Nancy C. Ashley, Katelyn and Jeannie, and to Hospice of Michigan: Connie, Shelly and Melanie for their care and genuine concern for Bob, and to all those who sent cards and prayers and made visits to brighten his days. A celebration of Bob’s life will be held in Traverse City. The visitation will be held at Reynolds- Jonkhoff Funeral Home on Friday, September 26, from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. The service will be held at Central United Methodist Church on Saturday, September 27 at 11:00 a.m. A luncheon will follow, and the family hopes all will stay to honor and celebrate Bob. Burial will be private at Oakwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in Bob’s name to the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy (for Long Lake), Hospice of Michigan, or Rotary Charities of Traverse City. Please sign his guestbook at www.Reynolds-Jonkhoff.com

Robert Edward Doerr

August 9, 1921 - September 19, 2014