Kenneth Robert Dorst

Kenneth Robert Dorst, PhD. Dr. Kenneth Robert Dorst entered into eternal rest at home on Sunday, August 17th, having been surrounded by his family after a brief but valiant bout with pancreatic cancer. While he will be deeply missed, we are comforted knowing he is now with his Creator and is at peace. Ken is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Peggy, to whom he was married for close to 53 years, his children Kathy (Henry) Yao, Tom (Constance), and Patty (Charlie) Miller, grandsons Mike and Steve Yao, and Tony Miller, brother Bob, sister Eunice (George) Coppage, and many cherished nieces and nephews and other extended family. He is preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Agnes Dorst, and his brother, Richard. Born March 26, 1928 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Ken grew up in Wawatosa, Wisconsin and Erie, Pennsylvania before joining the military service in 1946. Upon discharge from the military, Ken attended Northwestern University where he earned his BS degree in 1952 and his Masters degree in 1953. After a brief stint working in Banff, Canada, he accepted a teaching position at Indiana University, where he taught theater arts from 1953 to 1957. It was there that he met Peggy while working on a theatrical production together (she was the choreographer and he the lighting designer). They married September 1, 1955 in Pasadena, CA on what is still recorded as the hottest day in the history of Los Angeles. Ken subsequently accepted a teaching position at what was then known as San Jose State College (now SJSU) and taught stage lighting design, American musical theater, speech, as well as directed musicals and operas from 1957 until his retirement in 1988 (he stated that he knew it was time to retire when he began having grandchildren of his former students as pupils). During his tenure at SJSU, he earned his PhD from the University of Denver in 1966, and served as Graduate Coordinator from 1968-1982 and Drama Coordinator from 1982 until his retirement, as well as having served on many other school committees. Among his numerous achievements, Ken Dorst was the first person to bring the musical "Man of La Mancha" to the west coast, was founding president of the Northern California Chapter of American Theatre Association, and a past president of the California Education Theatre Association, as well as chairman of the first American College Theatre Festival and a recipient of the first University Exceptional Merit Service Award. Ken also was a member of numerous state and local arts committees, among them the San Jose Civil Light Opera Board of Directors, the California Theatre Council, the Ad Hoc Advisory Committee on the Arts to Wilson Riles (past California Superintendent of Education), and a director and design consultant to regional theatres, including the Santa Clara Junior Theatre Association, now known as the Roberta Jones Junior Theatre, in addition to many local venues, such as the Montalvo Carriage House Theatre, the Santa Clara Recreation Center Theatre, the Old Town, Los Gatos Cultural and Commercial Center, as well as to California schools, Community Colleges, and churches. Ken had a rich and vibrant relationship with God, and he carried that on, together with his wife, into an active life within the church and local community. They were a valued part of many church groups and functions, and volunteered for several related care-giving organizations, among them the Second Harvest Food Bank and the Santa Maria Urban Mission. Ken loved teaching, and he was a cherished and dedicated friend. He served as an example of living a faith-filled life, and taught us all the value of what it means to be a true servant of God. He is well loved and respected and will be missed by many. A memorial service is to be held at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 3151 Union Avenue, San Jose, CA 95124, on Friday, August 29th, at 2PM. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to Kaiser South Bay Hospice, c/o Santa Teresa Kaiser Hospital, 50 Great Oaks Blvd., San Jose, CA 95119 (questions can be directed to Ken Watkins, (408) 342-6643). A website has been set up for well-wishers to share their favorite memories of Ken: www.awdgs.com/Dad/index.html.