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Obituary for Dr. William Robert Doud
Dr. William (Bill) Robert Doud, age 91, passed away on January 12, 2018 in Long Beach, California following a brief illness. Graveside Memorial Service will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Saturday, July 28, 2018 at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Stuart. He leaves his dear wife Florence of 66 years, eldest daughter Jeannine (John) Lewis, daughter Carol (Scott) Matthew, sons John Doud, and James (Laura) Doud, 10 grandchildren, and 2 great grandchildren, first-cousin Pat and Mary Doud of Stuart and their children and families. Further survived by many wonderful cousins, nieces, nephews and longtime friends.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents James William Doud and Zita Fagan Doud, brothers John "Jack" Doud, James “Jim” Edward Doud, and his sweet sisters Mary Jean Doud, Elizabeth (Betty) Johnson, Gertrude (Gert) Carter, and his dear daughter Margaret.
Bill was born in Stuart, Iowa on November 25, 1926, the third of six children. Dr. Doud will be fondly remembered as a distinguished professor in the School of Business at California State University, Long Beach. Bill was active in his hobbies which included genealogy research, ham radio, Bible Study, physical fitness, and being a loyal companion to his wife Florence. He was a very gracious man with a fun sense of humor.
Bill loved growing up in Stuart and attended All Saints Catholic School. As a young boy he would visit his Grandpa Fagan's bakery often, especially enjoying the ice cream parlor. On the last day of the school year, Bill would walk five miles to his Grandma and Grandpa Doud’s farm. With John and Mary Ellen, young Bill thoroughly enjoyed life on the farm. Chores like hauling water for the workers, feeding the animals, picking vegetables were his pleasure to do. He smiled when talking about riding his pony named Topsy. He also relished spending time with Aunt Mayme and Uncle Bob McEvoy. They were all so good to him & he truly enjoyed their loving attention along with Mary Ellen and Mayme’s home cooking. He always enjoyed a close relationship with his entire family and held these memories close to his heart. He was a well-behaved boy who listened to his Catholic school teachers, only occasionally getting hit on the knuckles with a ruler.
One day he and his brother Jim decided to get back at a man who was very rude to them, so they moved his outhouse back three feet. They always laughed about that incident later in life. Young Bill lost his younger sister Mary Jean due to an illness when she was only eight years old and later lost his older brother Jack in a plane crash. These were sad periods in his life as he loved them both dearly.
As a Stuart teenager, Bill began to have a great interest in Radio Equipment and Communications. At age 13, he took the Ham Radio Exam and became one of the youngest Ham Radio Operators in the State of Iowa. During a hot spell one summer, Bill and three other boys went swimming in the Stuart Pond. Mostly non-swimmers they ventured out in water too deep. Bill was rescued by John Crew – sadly, we recall Bill mentioned the drowning of two young brothers occurred on that tragic day. This heroic event led a special bond between John Crew and Bill; a life-long friendship that lasted until John’s death a year ago. Remembering his friends, and living in a beach environment, Bill enrolled his children in swimming lessons each summer during their childhood.
When Bill was 14 years old, James and Zita moved their family to Des Moines for a government job. Bill enrolled in Des Moines Technical High School graduating in 1944.
At age 17 1/2, Bill entered the US Navy as a Radio Communication Specialist. After two years of service, he attended Drake University for one year. Bill got a job with the Illinois Central Railroad full-time for the next two years. Encouraged by his Aunt Gertrude to become a teacher, Bill went back to college. He enrolled at Iowa State Teacher's College and this is where he met Florence Kolp, who was from Manson, Iowa. Bill was very smart and knew he had the grand prize in dating Florence. Florence commented that she loved that Bill wore a white shirt and tie each day and could see his ambition and drive for life. They were married on June 7, 1952 in Des Moines.
After college graduation, Bill taught school near Ames and also drove the school bus. He would teach school and then change into his blue bus driver coat and hat. One young student boarding the bus roared, "Hey Bus Driver, you look like my teacher!" Bill simply responded that he had a twin brother.
Bill and Florence had an adventurous spirit and told their parents they were moving to Oregon to teach school. That didn't go over too well with Bill's in-laws but off they went.
They settled in the little town of Merrill, Oregon and in 1954 welcomed their first child Jeannine. Six months later Bill accepted a teaching position at Stephens Jr. High School in sunny Long Beach, CA. New daughter Carol arrived in 1955 followed by Margaret the next year. Bill was very busy with his teaching career and Florence was with three active girls. Bill accepted a teaching position at Lakewood High School and the family welcomed a son John in 1958, and lastly James in 1959. In 1961, Bill and Florence bought their home on a beautiful cul-de-sac in Long Beach where many great memories were shared together. Over the years they stayed in close contact with Iowa family & friends and enjoyed being longtime subscribers to the Stuart Herald and the Manson Journal.
Favorite family vacations consisted of semi-annual trips of taking the train or driving the family back to their hometown of Des Moines. Bill was especially fond of Drew’s Chocolate’s in Dexter a love he shared with his family over the years. These were great memories for the entire family and extended family to be together and share in laughter, fun and food!
Bill stayed at Lakewood High School for nine years then began to work on his Masters Degree. He received his Masters Degree from CSULB and further received his PhD from the University of Southern California. His wife and children have always been proud of his love for education and persistence in pursuing his educational goals. He taught in the School of Business at CSULB for 25 years and enjoyed Emeritus Status for nearly 30 years. In retirement they enjoyed several trips to Europe, in particular Ireland where his grandparents had emigrated from in the 1800’s. Bill loved doing genealogy research and compiled our complete family history, along with guiding and encouraging many friends in their endeavors. He also enjoyed working on computers and his ham radio during his retirement years.
Bill relished his relationship with his wife Florence. She was the rock of the family and he knew it. He faithfully helped Florence the last eight years of his life with her dialysis and her other health needs. His loving service was a great example to his family and friends.
Bill will be remembered most for living what he taught. His method was simple - he lived by example. He treated everyone with respect and kindness. One of the greatest compliments the family received after his passing was from a former colleague who said, "Your father was a true gentleman."
During his last days in the hospital the family was able to take Florence to see her dear husband. As she held his hand, she tearfully said, "Thank you for marrying me, thank you for five wonderful children, and for 66 years with me. I love you! Farewell my lover boy. I'll see you in heaven."
