Obituary of Robert Cozby Dorris

Robert C. Dorris, 92, of Rydal Park, Jenkintown, PA, a technical marketing manager, died January 5, 2011 of lymphoma in Abington Hospice, Warminster, PA. Born in Vienna, IL December 1, 1918, Bob attended elementary and secondary schools in Cleveland, OH, and graduated with a B.S. in Physics from Case Western Reserve University. After his marriage to Kay Brightman in 1941 they moved to East Orange, NJ, where he spent most of WW II working on radar projects with Westinghouse Electric in Bloomfield, NJ. Their first son, Monroe was born in 1945 while they resided in NJ. After their second son, Roger, was born in 1949, the family moved to Wyncote, PA, where Bob set up the Philadelphia area office for the Gawler-Knoop Co., a manufacturer's representative for electronic testing equipment. Their third son, Malcolm, was born in 1954. The family later moved to Mountain Lakes, NJ for four years but returned to Wyncote in 1969, when Bob worked as Product Manager for Leeds & Northrup. He closed out his working career as a marketing consultant to Metrologic, a laser scanner manufacturer in NJ. Bob was known for helping younger men gain confidence developing their management skills. As a 50+ year member of the Philadelphia Cricket Club, Bob was frequently found on tennis and squash courts as well as the golf course, and he enjoyed skiing in his younger years. Throughout his life, Bob was an avid fan of classical, big band, and Dixieland music. In his teen and college years he earned money playing the saxophone in big bands. He later played clarinet for the June Fete and the Mountain Lakes, NJ Symphony. He played piano and led the Cool Codgers Combo, specializing in music from the 30's and 40's, and held concerts as recently as 2010. In 2003 Bob and Kay downsized, moving to Rydal Park in Jenkintown, PA. After 64 years of marriage, Kay died in 2006. Life in his later years included the challenge of losing one and then the other leg, but he met the challenge with courage and humor. Having received Christ in 2007 he became confident of his eternal destiny in heaven. Monroe is a real estate agent in New Paltz, NY, Roger a missions consultant in Oreland, PA, and Malcolm an attorney in New York, NY. Bob is also survived by 8 grandsons and 1 granddaughter. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday, January 22, 2011 in the auditorium of Rydal Park, 1515 The Fairway, Jenkintown, PA 19046. Gifts in Bob's memory may be given to a charity of your choice or to causes he supported: The "Friendship Fund at Rydal Park" that helps residents remain there in the event of a shortage of funds---checks payable to Presby's Inspired Life, 2000 Joshua Rd., Lafayette Hill, PA 19444. Or, donations may be made to the "Settlement Music School" that gives scholarships for lessons in music, dance, and fine arts---PO Box 63966, Phila., PA 19147.