Michael Joseph “Mike” Dohrer
DOHRER, SCHMIT, MITCHELL, NAYLOR
Posted By: Sarah Fletcher (email)
Date: 8/10/2015 at 10:01:14
Michael Joseph “Mike” Dohrer, age 60, formerly of Iowa City passed away peacefully on July 29, 2015 at his home in Tulare, California after an extended illness. Mike was always a fighter and he fought to the end with the best attitude and spirit that we have ever seen.
The family will greet friends from 4:00 -7:00 pm on Friday, August 21, 2015 at Lensing Funeral Service in Iowa City. A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, August 22, 2015 at St. Patrick’s Church in Iowa City. A celebration of life will be held immediately following at the Iowa City Knights of Columbus Family Center. Burial will be in St. Vincent Cemetery in Riverside. Memorials may be directed to the Wounded Warrior Project.
Mike was born January 28, 1955, son of George and Camilla (Schnoebelen) Dohrer. He graduated with the City High class of 1973 and attended both Kirkwood and the University of Iowa. He was a die-hard Hawkeye and was willing to admit to being a Raiders fan despite the harassment and many years of disappointment.
As a child and young man “mischief” was Mike’s middle name, the stories we could tell! He tormented the nuns and you didn’t dare turn your back on him, but oh, he was so loveable. Mike was a natural athlete and sports enthusiast, and even after his burn injuries excelled at bowling, golf and anything else he tried.
Mike became a Journeyman Lineman and spent the next 40 years bringing electricity to people in some of the harshest conditions; mountain tops, ice storms, wild fires and floods. Mike, recently retired, was union proud in all that he did. He was a 40-year member of IBEW. He worked so hard and was a role model and mentor to many a lineman. He was a living legend in the field and was highly respected for his dedication to safety, compassion for his crew members and their families, and his savvy with contract bidding and negotiation.
He made the world a better place for others with limb injuries through his volunteer work for the Wounded Warriors Program. After his burn injury he was discouraged from returning to the dangers of line work but you never tell Mike “no”, it only makes him more determined. He not only went back, but advanced to foreman, then general foreman, and finally, superintendent. He turned down lucrative job offers to keep his beloved union membership. He was the best at what he did and had a strong sense of fairness and loyalty.
He had a great sense of adventure and knew how to live life to the fullest including picking fights, playing practical jokes, and generally being ornery. It was impossible to catch this guy without a big smile on his face. Mike’s easy chortle and hearty laugh enthralled us all and enriched our lives. Everyone was a friend, the real kind – he would “have your back” in a heartbeat and vice-versa. He gave his love so freely and generously and loved nothing better than golfing and having a beer with his buddies. He was also a member of the Moose, Elks and Eagle lodges.
Mike is survived by his mother, Camilla Dohrer of Iowa City, his sister, Peg Dohrer and her husband Tom Schmit of Jefferson, his nephews, Luke Mitchell, AJ Dohrer, Dylan and Jackson Naylor. Mike will be so missed by his many cousins and his friends from all over the country, especially his IBEW family. Mike was preceded in death by his father, George Dohrer, Brother and Sister-in-law Tom and Julia Dohrer, his sister, Pat Mitchell and nephew, Michael Schmit.
Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service
Johnson Obituaries maintained by Cindy Booth Maher.
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