Robert Leonard Dorr, 91, of Orland Park, Ill., passed away peacefully on Aug. 28, 2026.
Bob was born on April 21, 1935, in Le Mars, to Robert and Mona Dorr. Bob was raised in Cherokee and was a standout athlete at Cherokee (Wilson) High School where he excelled in basketball and track. He graduated in 1953.
Following graduation, Bob served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Serving with the 7th Infantry Division, he achieved the rank of PFC and was awarded the National Defense Medal, Korean Occupation Medal and United Nations Medal. After his honorable discharge in 1955, he attended Westmar College and later earned a master’s degree from the University of South Dakota.
Bob dedicated 34 years to education, beginning his career in Lawton in 1960. He spent the majority of his tenure in Sioux City, teaching driver’s education and coaching track and basketball at Central, Leeds, Riverside, North,and East high schools until his retirement in 1994.
As a man of deep faith, Bob was active at Grace Lutheran Church in Sioux City. Later in life he was a member of Amazing Love Church in Frankfort, Ill.. He was an avid athlete throughout his life, completing several RAGBRAI cycling trips across Iowa and numerous marathons.
Bob was preceded in death by his first wife, Elaine (Tullberg); his infant son Delton; three sisters: Marcia (Kloster), Marilee (Peterson) and Mary JoAnn; and his parents.
He is survived by his wife of 23 years, Phyllis (Pederson); daughter Jana (Daniel) Johnson of Germantown, Wis.; son Gregory Dorr of Phoenix, Ariz.; Phyllis’s children: Lisa (Dave) Carlson of Lockport, Ill.; Leslie (Mark) Busse of Tinley Park, Ill.; Dan (Sandy) Pederson of Martinton, Ill.; and Tim (Amy) Pederson of Decatur, Ind.; and 16 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.
A visitation will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 2, from 10-11:30 a.m., followed by a memorial service at 11:30 a.m. at Amazing Love Church, 21301 S. Pfeiffer Rd., Frankfort, IL 60423. Memorial gifts may be directed to Martin Luther College (New Ulm, Minn.) or Wisconsin Lutheran College (Milwaukee, Wis.).
