Bob Dorn, RIP

My stepfather, Bob Dorn, died this week after a long illness. I met Bob for the first time in the summer of 1974, when he was dating my mom. Over the next 34 years we would not exactly grow close, but I will forever be grateful that he came into my and my mom's lives.

Bob would play an influential role in two of the most important decisions I made in my life.

First off, he married my mother and took care of her. In return, she took care of him -- most memorably on the day she died three years ago while shopping at Albertson's, getting ready a nice Fourth of July supper to welcome him when he came back from the hospital. They were a loving couple, and whatever faults I might have accrued to him at the time as a parent were ultimately redeemed by the stability and support that he and Mom gave me during those years.

Mrs. TV Barn and I just celebrated 13 years of marriage. They have been happy and productive years for us both. And I don't think it's a coincidence that each of us brought to the marriage memories of two parents who modeled what it meant to be well-yoked. Bob deserves a lot of credit for that.

The other thing Bob gets a lot of credit for is exposing me to the newspaper business and making me want to be in it. He worked at the Billings Gazette for 20-plus years, some of that as a reporter but most of it as an advertising salesman. You hear about the "wall of separation" between editorial and advertising. At the Gazette, there is no wall -- there's a lobby with an atrium, and one can walk easily between one and the other. I found myself in the Gazette quite a bit as a kid, visiting the newsroom, whose employees all knew Bob well. That earned me some access. I remember sitting with the sports department, or most of it, watching the 1977 NLCS on a black-and-white TV set. I remember spending four hours or so with Addison Bragg, the crusty old columnist who wrote for the Gazette for decades, who turned out to be pretty good with kids; we went to lunch, and afterward he rummaged through campaign trinkets he collected in his desk and told the stories behind them.

It's unlikely that I would've had those opportunities, or been very interested in journalism, were it not for Bob, a man who took care of me in ways that I wouldn't totally appreciate until I was older.

The last three years without Mom were miserable for Bob. I think he wanted off this planet, and earlier this week, his wish was granted.

Of all the feelings I have about my stepdad, Bob Dorn, the overarching one is gratitude. Gratitude that he provided a home, gratitude that he allowed me to develop into someone very different (in many ways) from himself, and thankfulness that he cared for me at a time when caring made a big impression on a young boy with a single mom.

ROBERT G. DORN

Former Billings resident Robert G. Dorn passed away May 27, 2008 in Clovis, CA. after battling lung and colon cancer. Bob had moved to Fresno in 2006 to be closer to his oldest daughter, Beth and her family. Bob was born in New Jersey in 1933 and was the youngest of 6 children all of whom have preceded him in death. Bob had a life long love of the outdoors as a hunter and fisherman while living in Wyoming and Montana. When he retired from the Billings Gazette in 1987 after 23 years, he and his wife ElRene moved to Florida and became avid golfers. Bob was preceded in death by his wife ElRene in July of 2005. He is survived by his four children Beth Wood of Clovis, CA, Jeff Dorn (Linda) of Aberdeen SD, Lesli Dillon (Lance) of Bellingham WA, Amy Kinshella (Dale) of Ashburn VA, and 3 step- children Glenda Barnhart of San Francisco, CA. Aaron Barnhart (Diane) of Kansas City, MO., Todd Barnhart of Oregon and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Private family services will be held at a later date.

Comments

[Joe]

My thoughts are with you and your family.

When I was 24, I became the step-father to a great 11-year-old. He is 24 now and about to be married. While we don't have a "normal" father-son relationship, I hope I have been helpful and supportive of him over the years. I have tried, at least, to be there where his "real" father wasn't. It isn't easy being a "step" parent, but it can be very rewarding.

It is good of you to take time to remember him.

[Bill Higgins-- Beam Jockey]

This is a fine tribute. My sympathy to you and your family.

[DKC]

A very kind tribute. I'm sorry for your loss.