Richard T. Doermer

Richard T. Doermer, 87, died peacefully on October 11, 2010. Born in Fort Wayne, he was a graduate of South Side High School, the University of Notre Dame and Cornell University Law School. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1942 and served in the Pacific theater where he was commissioned an Ensign. He was honorably discharged in 1946 as a Lieutenant JG. He began his practice of law as an associate with the firm of Campbell, Livingston, Teeple and Dildine; subsequently becoming a partner with Rothberg, Gallmeyer & Doermer. He began his long and illustrious career in banking in 1956 when he joined Dime Trust and Savings Bank as Director and Executive Vice President. Becoming president in 1957, he changed the name to Indiana Bank and Trust Company. Through acquisitions, mergers and affiliations, it grew to become Summit Bank (Summcorp). After Summcorp became an affiliate of NBD Bancorp in 1992, Doermer remained Chairman and CEO of NBD Fort Wayne until he retired in December of 1993. During his career, Doermer also served on the boards of directors of 9 other Indiana banks.

Doermer was also Vice Chairman of Avis Industrial Corporation of Upland, Indiana. In partnership with Leland Boren, Chairman of Avis, it grew to a holding company owning 12 diverse manufacturing facilities across the US and in Canada.

Over the years Doermer served as director on the boards of numerous businesses including Rea Magnet Wire Co., Journal Gazette Publishing Company, Our Sunday Visitor, Kelly Box and Packaging Corporation, the Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce Foundation and the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer Research. He was a member of the Advisory Council to the Mendoza School of Business at the University of Notre Dame. He also served as a member of the Finance Council and Investment Committee for the Catholic Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend. He spent 29 years on the Board of Directors of the Public Employees' Retirement Fund (PERF), initially appointed by Governor Otis Bowen and reappointed by four succeeding governors. He was a director of the United Way and also served as General Chairman of its annual fund campaign. He served on the Board of Trustees at the University of St. Francis.

He is survived by son, Richard D. Doermer, of Chicago, daughter, Kathryn D. Callen (John B. Powell) of Fort Wayne, long time friend and associate, Phyllis J. Alberts, grandchildren John, Thomas and Mary Callen, Abigail Bergeron and Caitlin Doermer and step grandchildren Carson and Claire Powell, and nephew, Thomas M. (Cathy) Gallmeyer, of Ft Wayne. He was preceded in death by his wife of 51 years, Mary Louise (McNabb) Doermer, and his brother, John J. Doermer. Visitation from 2 until 8 on Thursday at Klaehn, Fahl & Melton Funeral Home, Winchester Rd Chapel, 6424 Winchester Road. Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. on Friday at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 4500 Fairfield Avenue, with calling 1 hr prior. Burial in Catholic Cemetery. Preferred memorials to the scholarship funds at the University of St. Francis, IPFW or donors choice. www.klaehnfahlmeltonfunerals.com