Dougherty, Dr. Keith E.

Dr. Keith E. Dougherty of Williamsburg, died Monday, June 18, 2012, at the Marengo Memorial Hospital, Marengo, following excellent care there, at the age of 91 years. He accepted bone cancer with dignity and wit for many weeks. At his request, the body will be cremated and there will be no services. A military scattering of ashes at a later date will be handled by his grandson, Naval Lt. Jeremy Ethridge.

Keith was born May 31, 1921, in Sheidan, Wyo., the son of Harry S. and Doris L. (Addleman) Dougherty. He attended grade school in Davenport, graduating from Williamsburg High School in 1939. He attended Iowa Wesleyan College before entering Aviation Cadets in October 1941, and graduated from Lincoln Chiropractic College in 1950, practicing from 1951 until the day before he entered the hospital. He was past president of the Iowa Chiropractic Society. During World War II he was a B-25 pilot, CO of 500th Bomb squadron in the New Guinea area earning the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal among others. He flew 65 missions and logged 287 combat hours most of which considered to be the larger air force offenses against Japan. He was one of a group who founded the golf course in Williamsburg, now known as Stone Creek. He was an avid golfer, bowler, card player, traveler, but far and above his practice and his patients were his life.

He is survived by his wife, Virginia of Williamsburg; sons, Mike of Arnold Park and Van of Iowa City; and daughter, Linda Driscoll of Williamsburg; stepchildren, Shirley Peer of Coralville, Sandy Ethridge of Lacey, Wash., and David Finnegan of Jan Jose, Calif.; and his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a day old sister.

Fly high in the sky, my soul mate, my hero.

Memorials may be given to Safe Haven or the Marengo Memorial Hospital.

Messages and tributes may be left at under obituaries.

Published in The Gazette June 19, 2012.

Powell Funeral Home, Williamsburg is caring for the family.