Richard B. Dorr

Richard B. Dorr, 67, of Kent, passed peacefully at home Sunday, May 25, 2014.

He was born March 1, 1947 in Cleveland, to Homer and Adele (Bligh) Dorr. Richard was a 1969 graduate of Case Western Reserve University BA. Richard continued his education at Cleveland State University, M.Ed. 1973 and Kent State University, Ed.S. 1982. While on campus at Case Western Reserve University, Rick Dorr was active in many campus organizations: Chairman of Thwing Student Center Special events Committee, President of Circle K (Kiwanis), University Congress Concert Chairman, guide for the Admissions office, Buckeye Boys' State participant and counselor, and member of the Zeta Chapter of the Delta Tau Delta Fraternity. Rick was being honored by being accepted into Omicron delta Kappa (Organizational Honorary) at Case Western Reserve University.

Rick went on to earn a Masters in Education Administration from Cleveland State University thus preparing him for being a school principal. In 1982, he earned the degree of Education Specialist in the Superintendency from Kent State University. Rick retired after thirty-one years in education in 2000. He served sixteen years as a principal and fifteen years as a mathematics teacher. He also taught three mathematics courses at the University of Akron for a semester. Providing an appropriate environment for the development of the middle school child was his specialty. He was a member of the Ohio Education Association, Ohio Middle School Association, the Ohio Association of Secondary Administrators, and Phi Delta Kappa.

Further wishing to work with youth, Rick became active in the Boy Scouts of America when his son, Devon, was eleven years old. He stayed on serving the Boy Scouts in such capacities as Chartered Organization Representative, Camp master at The Manatoc Reservation, Wilderness Engineer, and Assistant District Commissioner for Seneca District of The Great Trail Council in the Greater Akron area and Lead Commissioner for Manatoc Summer Resident Camp. He has attended camp as a leader for several years and has served on the staff for more than twenty Boy Scout training sessions. Rick has taught "Dutch Oven Cooking", and "Selecting, and Procuring Volunteers" numerous times at the University of Scouting. He has earned his Wood Badge beads (the highest level of training in Scouting) and has served on the staff of the new Wood Badge Course for the 21st Century. He is a Vigil member of the Order of the Arrow (1996) and earned the District Award of Merit in 1999.

Rick received the Silver Beaver Award in The Great Trail Council (2004). The Silver Beaver Award was established by the National Council, Boy Scouts of America in 1930. This award is the highest honor a local council can present to an adult Scouter. It is made for noteworthy service of exceptional character to youth in the local council.

Richard serves his church as a member of the United Church of Christ of Kent chancel choir; has served on the stewardship committee, education committee, music committee, fellowship committee, growth committee, and on the outreach committee. "Rick" was heard happily singing amongst the plants at Eagle Creek Garden Center in Bainbridge where he worked part time for three years in sales and helping customers design their own landscape plantings. Richard has sung with the Hudson Community Choir for five plus years. Richard and Kathleen's home in Kent, Ohio received the Beautification Award from The Garden Club of Kent on two occasions and their yard was on the Kent Historical Society Garden Tour the summer of 2009. In December of 2009, The Garden Club of Kent honored Rick with the Achievement Award. He is a member of the Portage County Retired Teachers Association (PRCTA) and The Garden Club of Kent.

We lost our dad too soon. He may have accomplished all of these things, but he was best known for his ability to turn anything into a song, gardening, and loving his wife, children, and grandchildren. We will truly miss those big bear hugs and listening to you read us The Night before Christmas on Christmas Eve.

He is survived by his wife and partner of 45 years, Kathleen (Willis) Dorr; beloved children, Heidi (Richard) Cannon of Ravenna, Wendy (Travis) Miller of Kent, and Devon Dorr of Kent; grandchildren, Hailey Christine Cannon, Bryce Alan Cannon, Kasey Lee Cannon, Harland William Dorr, Stella Kathleen Miller and Davis Wilson Miller. He was preceded in death by his parents, Homer and Adele Dorr; sister, Sally Dorr; brothers, Timothy and Homer Jack Dorr.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM Saturday, May 31st at Kent United Church of Christ with Rev. David Pattee officiating, where friends may call 10:00-11:00 AM Saturday, May 31st. Private burial will be held at Standing Rock Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Boy Scouts of America, Great Trail Council, PO Box 68, Akron, OH 44309-0068 or United Church Of Christ Of Kent, Music Fund, 1400 E. Main Street, Kent, OH 44240.