Richard "Dick" Cyril Doerer

Lieutenant Colonel Richard "Dick" Cyril Doerer, U.S. Army (Retired), whose life was defined by duty, honor, family, faith, and a spirit of adventure, completed his final mission on Saturday, June 13, 2026, in Jacksonville, Florida, at the age of ninety-four.

For ninety-four years, Dick answered life's call to serve. Whether serving his country as a United States Army Military Intelligence officer, serving his family as a devoted husband and father, or serving his community and friends with kindness and generosity, he approached every season of life with a love of adventure and a deep commitment to the people who mattered most to him.

Dick was welcomed into the world on July 24, 1931, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by his parents, Thomas and Wilhemina “Minna” (Bohnlofink) Doerer. Soon after his birth, the family settled in Baltimore, Maryland, where his father enjoyed a distinguished newspaper career as a cartoonist, writer, and editor. Growing up in a household where stories and creativity were part of everyday life shaped the storyteller Dick would later become.

Dick grew up as the tenth of twelve children in a lively household filled with stories, laughter, creativity, and personalities. As one of only three boys among nine sisters, he quickly learned that the woods and creeks around Baltimore offered a welcome opportunity for adventure, and a little peace and quiet. He loved telling stories about sneaking out a second-floor window and sliding down a pole attached to the house just to get outside. If there was an adventure to be found, Dick was usually in the middle of it, even if it meant wading into leech-filled ponds at the local golf course in search of lost golf balls.

Within a couple years of graduating from Towson High School, Dick answered another call to adventure and service when he joined the United States Army. At just nineteen years old, carrying a small suitcase and wearing a brand-new suit purchased by his mother - whom he loved dearly - he boarded a train bound for Fort Knox, KY, and began a military career that would span more than twenty years and take him around the world.

After Army schooling at Fort Devens, Massachusetts, and Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, Dick was assigned to the Washington, DC area. It was there that love and adventure entered his life when he married Mary Elizabeth "Bibbs" Crosby, of Baltimore, Maryland, on June 5, 1954. Together they embarked on a remarkable mission that would span nearly sixty-six years of marriage, six children, fourteen grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren, countless moves, lifelong friendships, and enough memories to last generations. As an Army family, they learned that home was never a place, but was the people they loved and the life they built together.

Dick proudly served his country for more than twenty-four years in the United States Army retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Military Intelligence Branch. His distinguished military career took him and his family across the United States and around the world, including assignments at Fort Meade, Maryland (1954-1955; 1958-1962); Fort Devens, Massachusetts (1955-1956); Kenai, Alaska (1956-1958); Saigon, Vietnam (1962-1963); Arlington Hall Station, Virginia (1963-1966; 1968-1969; 1973-1974); Asmara, Ethiopia (1966-1968); Homestead Air Force Base, Florida (1969-1971) and Bangkok, Thailand (1971-1973).

After retiring from the Army in 1974, Dick and Bibbs settled in Satellite Beach, Florida, where they established their permanent home base. There they enjoyed decades of friendship, family gatherings, church activities, and the simple joys that come from a life well lived and a family well loved. Though he served with distinction and earned the respect of his fellow soldiers, those who knew Dick best understood that his greatest accomplishment was the family he and Bibbs built together. He was a wonderful and caring husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather whose greatest joy came from spending time with those he loved. He thoroughly enjoyed taking his grandchildren to the “Sun on the Beach” diner for breakfast but never ordered anything for himself because he would “hoover up” all the toddlers’ leftovers.

Throughout his life, Dick proudly filled many roles including Son, Brother, Husband, Brother-in-Law, Father, Uncle to more than fifty nieces and nephews, Grandfather, Great-Grandfather, Neighbor, and Friend. Depending on who was calling, he answered to Richard, Dick, Dad, PeePaw, Pop, Papa, Poppins, Pops, and a few “special” names used only by Bibbs, to include PITA.

Dick enjoyed competition throughout his life, from baseball fields as a young man to softball fields into his forties. He and Bibbs spent many years bowling in leagues and enjoyed gathering around card tables and board games with family and friends. Never one to quietly play a hand of cards or a game of Uno, his constant storytelling, commentary, and occasional attempts to distract his opponents earned him the legendary title of "King of Babble." At first, he was somewhat offended by this newly earned title but had that sly, knowing smile on his face that showed he got a kick out of the new nickname. In fact, some of his children even commemorated the honor with a custom hat, which he proudly wore.

Whether cheering from the stands at a child's or grandchild's sporting event, gathering with family or friends for breakfast at the diner, or sharing stories from his Army adventures, Dick rarely met a stranger and never lacked for conversation. His gift for storytelling, quick wit, and genuine interest in others left lasting impressions on everyone fortunate enough to know him.

Dick and Bibbs attended Mass faithfully throughout their marriage, and his faith in God remained a constant source of strength throughout his life. In later years, he found comfort in praying the rosary each day, trusting God's guidance through both life's blessings and its challenges. His deep faith helped define who he was, guided the decisions he made, and sustained him through both the joys and hardships of life.

Dick faced one of life's toughest assignments in 2020 when he lost the love of his life and partner in every adventure, Bibbs. Though he missed her dearly every day, he carried her memory with him and found strength in the family and legacy they created together. After nearly six years apart, their reunion is surely one filled with joy.

His family is especially grateful that during his final months he was able to be visited in person or speak by phone with so many of the people he loved. Those conversations, stories, prayers, and expressions of love were a gift to him and to all who shared them. The family is also deeply thankful for the compassionate caregivers who faithfully cared for him during the final weeks of his long and memorable life.

Dick was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mary Elizabeth "Bibbs" Doerer; his parents; and ten brothers and sisters whom he loved dearly.

His legacy will live on through his sole surviving sibling, Constance (Doerer) Sanders; his sole surviving in-law, Carolyn (Crosby) Farrell; his six children, Maureen O'Sullivan (John), Craig Doerer (Shannon), Pam Doerer, John Tracy Doerer (Tami), Bobby Doerer (Tammy), and Kathy Myers (Tom); his fourteen grandchildren, Ryan Wells (Samantha), Bryanna Lauer (Jacob), Sean O'Sullivan (Kimberly), Kyle Wells, Kevin O'Sullivan (Jacqlyne), Joseph Doerer, Katie Smith (Chris), Benjamin Doerer (Shea), Camden Doerer, Emily Myers, John Tracy Doerer, Casey Marsh (Mason), Thomas Myers, and Madelyn Myers; his sixteen great-grandchildren, Colin, Dylan, Logan, Lorenzo, Rhett, Georgia, Klara, Paul, Dayton, Dakota, Heulyn, Isabella, Bryn, Kylie, Judah and Caroline; and numerous loving nephews, nieces, cousins, in-laws, and friends. Bibbs loved stories. Dick loved telling them. Together they created a lifetime of adventures, memories, friendships, and family traditions that became the stories their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren will continue sharing for generations to come.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” ‭‭John‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

These words embody the life Dick lived. The measure of his life cannot be found in the places he traveled, the rank he achieved, or the years he served. It is found in the family he loved, the friendships he cherished, the stories he shared, and the countless lives made richer because he was part of them. His legacy lives on through the generations who will continue to carry forward the values that defined him: faith, family, duty, honor.

A viewing will be held on Tuesday, June 23, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Hardage-Giddens Rivermead Funeral Home, 127 Blanding Boulevard, Orange Park, Florida 32073. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, June 24, 11:00 a.m. at Mary, Queen of Heaven Catholic Church, 9401 Staples Mill Drive, Jacksonville, Florida 32244. Burial with military honors will be held on Thursday, June 25, at 12:30 p.m. at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery, 5525 U.S. Highway 1, Mims, Florida 32754, where Dick will be laid to rest beside his beloved wife, Bibbs. The family plans to hold a joint Celebration of Life in Baltimore, Maryland, at a later date, where family and friends can gather to honor a love story that spanned nearly sixty-six years of marriage, a lifetime of service and adventure, and the legacy they built together.

In lieu of flowers, donations in the name of Richard and Mary Doerer can be made out to your local Veterans’ Organizations or Mary Queen of Heaven Catholic Church, 9401 Staples Mill Dr, Jacksonville, Florida 32244.