Howard Paul Doerr

Howard Paul Doerr was born June 3, 1929 in Lincoln, Nebraska, the son of Julius and Kathryn (Kister) Doerr. Howard was baptized August 18, 1929 and confirmed on April 18, 1943, both at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lincoln, Nebraska. He attended Trinity Lutheran School and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1946 and received a Business Degree from the University of Nebraska in 1950. Howard married ArVella Stroh on September 10, 1950 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lincoln, Nebraska. Howard joined Northwestern Bell Telephone Company in Omaha, Nebraska upon graduation from the University of Nebraska. He took a break during that employment to serve as a Lieutenant in the USAF during the Korean War. Upon returning from his tour of duty with the USAF he and ArVella moved back to Omaha, Nebraska and to Northwestern Bell. During the ensuing years they were transferred multiple times and lived twice in Minneapolis, in Des Moines and in New Jersey each time returning to Omaha. In 1982, after serving as the EVP & CFO at Northwestern Bell he moved to Denver, Colorado to become the EVP & CFO of USWEST from which he retired in December 1991. Howard and ArVella raised their family during these years and have three children, Cathleen Botts (Larry), Steven and David (Suzette); ten grandchildren: Laura Toepfer (Nick), Meredith Arends (Nate), Dayton (Elizabeth) Jordan, Olivia, Sarah Swistak (Brent), Megan Magaña (Grant), Connor, John David Higgins and Audrey Higgins and five great grandchildren: Grayson, Liam, Margaux and Kellen Toepfer and Bradyn Swistak. Howard was very active on corporate and community boards in Omaha and Denver. This was especially true with his involvement over a span of 30 years on the boards of hospitals in Omaha, NE; Leavenworth, KS and Denver, CO. He was most proud of his involvement in the Missouri Synod Lutheran Churches they belonged to in every city that they lived serving in multiple capacities. In his more leisure times following retirement he played some golf and enjoyed traveling, especially taking multiple river and ocean cruises, and working with his yard and flowers. Howard is survived by his wife of 67 years, ArVella, his daughter and son-in-law Cathleen and Larry Botts of Kansas City, sons Steven in Bangkok, Thailand, and David and his wife Suzette in Omaha, Nebraska; his 10 grandchildren; his five great grandchildren; sister-in-law Harriet of Sioux City, Iowa and numerous nieces and nephews. Howard was preceded in death by his brothers Robert and Donald. A memorial service celebrating his life will be held on Saturday, March 25th at Our Father Lutheran Church, 6335 S. Holly, Centennial, CO at 10:30am. In lieu of flowers, if so desired, a memorial gift in honor of Howard may be made to Our Father Lutheran Church. Please share memories of Howard and condolences with the family by signing the guestbook below.