Dohrer, George Joseph

George Joseph Dohrer passed away Oct. 19, 2012, after a series of health issues. He was truly a survivor, managing to beat three forms of cancer over a 20-year period. He was courageous up to the end and died a peaceful death with family. He and his wife, Camilla, were fortunate to celebrate their 62nd wedding anniversary two days before his passing. His family is grateful for the loving care of the Mercy Hospice staff in his final days.

He was born in Iowa City on Sept. 13, 1927, to George Dohrer Sr. and Margaret (O'Donnell) Dohrer. Growing up, George was a fun-loving and mischievous young man and never really outgrew his love for making people laugh. He graduated from Iowa City High School in 1946 and entered the Marine Corps. After serving his country he began a 41-year career with Iowa-Illinois Gas and Electric Co. (currently Mid American Energy Co). George met his loving wife of 62 years at an Iowa-Illinois party; they were married Oct. 17, 1950, at St. Patrick's Church and the rest was history.

To their union, was born four children, Tom, Mike, Pat and Peggy. Despite working two jobs and being one of the hardest workers you could ever meet, George made time to be a very loving and devoted husband and father. He always had a bit of a child within and this made him a big hit with his children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was so easy going and laid back - with a great attitude about life (and death, when the time came). Those who knew him remember his strong handshake and bone-crunching hugs. They were ferocious in their intensity because he wanted you to know that you mattered and were important to him.

George had a passion for helping others. This need was manifested in many of his selfless acts, but the biggest was his work with Local 109 of the Iowa Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. He believed strongly in justice in the workplace and worked tirelessly as both a union steward and contract negotiator. His union activities sometimes caused rifts, but he was such a man of integrity, conviction and compassion, knowing all along that he was doing the right thing. He was very brave.

George took up golfing later in life, but oh boy, what a golfer he became. He can proudly claim a hole in one and a double eagle as well as winning many friendly competitions among his many golfing peers. Golfing was a passion to him - a reward for all of his hard years of work. He was seldom happier than enjoying the beauty of the landscape, sunshine, and camaraderie of good friends. He was in golf leagues in both Iowa and Arizona. He will always be remembered for his hobby of fishing golf balls out of the ponds, sometimes his own, but mostly those of others - he built up quite the collection.

George and Camilla were quite the pair - Camilla, forever the planner and caretaker, and George - the provider and comic. They achieved the perfect balance for a long and loving marriage. They showed their children the power of love, compromise, forgiveness and adventure. Their solidarity was witnessed through their grieving of the premature deaths of their children, Tom and Pat, in 2009, George's medical issues, and other trials and tribulations. Most importantly they were able to enjoy more than 22 years of wintering in Arizona, world travels that included China, New Zealand, and his grandmother's ancestral home of Ireland. He was a die-hard Hawkeye fan and even before his retirement, he and Cam cheered on the Hawks at every stadium in the Big Ten Conference.

George was always up for a game of cards and enjoyed many card parties and euchre tournaments over the years. He was a skilled player and legendary for winning a hand with just a couple of low trump.

George was proud to belong to St. Patrick's Parish, to be a 4th Degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus, and his memberships to American Legion Post 17 and Iowa City Moose Lodge 1096.

Preceding him in death were his son, Tom; his daughter, Pat Mitchell; his parents; his sisters, Phyllis Stepp and Carol Ann Emerson; his brother, Bill; his nephew, Chris; and many of his good friends.

Those left to grieve this huge loss are his wife, Camilla; his son, Mike; his daughter, Peg, and her husband, Tom Schmit, and her children, Dylan and Jackson Naylor; his daughter-in-law, Julia, and her son, AJ; his grandson, Luke Mitchell; and former son-in-law, George Naylor. He is also survived by a sister, Marlene Humble; his brother, Bob; and many nieces and nephews.

George will be missed by many - he made friends wherever he went and left a lasting impression.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Iowa City. The Very Rev. Rudolph Juarez will officiate. Burial is scheduled for 1 p.m. Oct. 27 at St. Vincent's Cemetery in Riverside. Visitation will be Friday, Oct. 26, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Lensing Funeral Service in Iowa City, where a Knights of Columbus rosary will begin at 6:30 p.m. Friday.

Instead of flowers, the family requests memorials to Mercy Hospice.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.lensingfuneral.com

Published Oct. 20, 2012 in The Gazette