Obituary of Theodor Ted Carl DOERR

DOERR, Theodor “Ted” Carl June 1, 1928 – Leipzig, Germany June 9, 2016 – Airdrie, Alberta Theodor Karl (Ted) Doerr, formerly of Fairview, AB passed away peacefully June 9, 2016 at the age of 88 with his family by his side. Born on June 1, 1928 in Leipzig, Germany, Ted grew up near the Prussian port of Konigsberg (now Kaliningrad) with his parents and two sisters. He witnessed the horrors of the Second World War starting as a draftee in 1942, and having been placed in action by 1944. Following evacuation from East Prussia in 1945 and discharge from the army, he made his way to his uncle’s home in Southern Germany where the family was reunited. By 1952 Ted had made the decision to emigrate to Canada. Shortly before departure, he met the love of his life Ruth Decker and asked her to join him. They were married on December 30, 1952 and settled in Edmonton, where their three children were born. Ted’s career started with Dominion Construction, where he worked for 13 years before taking a job in 1965 in Fort McMurray as a carpentry instructor at what is now Keyano College. The family spent the schooling months of 1966-1969 in Edmonton while he attended the University of Alberta and earned (in three years) a Bachelor of Education degree and won the Milton Ezra LaZerte Gold Medal for academic excellence. During the Fort McMurray years Ted perfected his skills as an outdoorsman (his greatest passion), his woodworking art and his teaching methods. In 1978 he moved to Fairview College and led the carpentry apprenticeship program there until retirement in 1988. In 2004, the College named the “Ted Doerr Carpentry Shop” in honour of teaching materials and methods he developed which are still in use. Ted and Ruth built their spectacular retirement home near Whitelaw, AB which was a testament to his woodworking talent and a sacred place for his grandchildren. He remained busy with numerous pursuits including fine woodwork, beekeeping, guitar making, skiing, grape growing, bird carving, learning Spanish and playing the guitar and accordion. Following a severe stroke in 2007 he was moved to a long term care in Fairview, AB and in 2012 he and Ruth relocated to Airdrie to be closer to family. Ted is survived by his loving wife Ruth (married over 63 years); his sisters Judy Rayner and Elizabeth Babbel (Liesel); his three children Eleanor Mitchell (Larry), Doris Wills (Mark), and Harvey Doerr (Sherry); his six grandchildren Lisa and Joshua Mitchell (Tiffany), Dianne and Sharon Wills, and Robbie and Tommy Doerr, and two great-grandchildren Simon and Isabella Mitchell. We will all miss Ted dearly and cherish the legacy of his life, which includes the values and ethics he taught us, the guitars, wooden toys, bird carvings and other treasures of art that he created, and wonderful memories of his company. A Memorial Service will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY (Chapel of the Bells, at 2720 Center Street North in Calgary, AB) on Wednesday, June 22, 2016 at 2:30 p.m. Condolences may be forwarded through . In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Bethany Care Centre, 1736 – 1st Avenue N.W., Airdrie, AB, T4B 2C4, Telephone: (403) 948-6022. In living memory of Ted Doerr, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Airdrie, 300 TOWERLANE DRIVE, AIRDRIE, AB. Telephone: 403-948-1100