Dr. Richard Paul Dorr

On November 6, 2019, Richard Paul Dorr went home to his heavenly Father. He died peacefully at home and will be greatly missed and remembered by his beloved family and the many friends, patients, and students he touched. Dr. Dorr was born in Saginaw, Michigan August 17, 1936 to Paul and Monica (Hogan) Dorr. He graduated from Hemlock High School in 1953, earned a Bachelor of Science from Michigan State University, and remained a loyal Spartan. He graduated from the University of Michigan Medical School in 1961, completed a surgical internship at Wayne County General Hospital, then served as a Captain in the Medical Corp, U.S. Army Reserve and Commander of a Medical Company, Airborne Division, in Fort Benning, Georgia until his honorable discharge in 1964. He completed a residency in urology at the University of Michigan Medical Center in 1968. He then opened practice at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, where he served as head of the Department of Urology for 6 years, and Chief of the Medical Staff from 1980-1982, becoming a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons in 1972. In 1984 he completed a fellowship at East Virginia Medical College in pediatric and reconstructive urology. In 1982 he played a primary role in development of McAuley Health Plan and the Huron Valley Physicians Association. From 1985-90 he served as Executive Vice President and then President and Chief Executive Officer of Mercy Alternative. In 1990 he returned to the full-time private practice of urology. Throughout his career he held a faculty appointment at the University of Michigan Medical School, where he spent the last 6 years of his career training the next generation of urologists.

Dick Dorr had a passion for growth and life in both the earth and those who inhabit it, appreciating the science and wonder in both. He will be remembered for his great love of family and the outdoors, inspiring his wife (the “city girl”), children and grandchildren to enjoy hunting, fishing, horseback riding, and lake life. His appreciation of honesty and beauty he demonstrated in his love for and dedication to Jane. His sense of humor and work ethic reflected his farming roots. He dreamed of being a cowboy and always said he was going to go out with his boots on.

He is survived by his wife of sixty years, Jane (Schmidt) Dorr, his children Richard (Alexandra) Dorr, Susan Dorr (Michael) Goold and Mark (Stacey) Dorr, five grandchildren, Monica, Ryan, Richard, Katherine and Mackenzie, two step-grandchildren Micaela and Mateo, and three great-grandchildren, Tatiana, Amelia and Samantha, sister Deanna Siler, brother Michael (Shirley) Dorr and sister-in-law Marilyn Larkey. He was preceded in death by his sister MaryAnn McDonald, sister-in-law Debbie Dorr, brother-in-law Paul Larkey and brother-in-law Bill Siler.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 am Monday, November 11, 2019 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church (2250 E Stadium Rd., Ann Arbor). Visitation will be Sunday, November 10, 2019 from 4:30 to 6:30 pm at Muehlig Funeral Chapel of Ann Arbor. Dr. Dorr will be laid to rest at Washtenong Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be offered to the Parkinson Foundation or to St. Joseph Mercy Hospital Senior Emergency Foundation. Please visit the funeral chapel website to leave the family your condolences or fond memories.