Richard Dorman

Richard Dorman 11-27-22 - 4-3-2010 A man passionate about family, friends, church, architecture, trains and life. Richard was adopted as a baby, raised by Bertha and Charles Dorman. His father loved his early drawings and hung them on his office walls; Richard was drafted into WWII and took classes so he could join the Army Air Corps. He was accepted into Flight school and quickly became a B24 pilot. The plane he flew was named, Tropic Knight. He flew 35 missions over the Pacific under heavy enemy fire. Richard used the GI Bill to attend The University of Southern California, where he graduated with a degree in Architecture in 1951. He married Jean W. Cates whom he met while assigned to a base in Waco, TX. They had 3 children: Richard, Jr., Gail and Grant. Richard and Grant reside in California and Gail is deceased. Richard had an illustrious career: 1951 â€" Upon graduation was invited to join Welton Becket's A&E fir to the design department 1956 â€" Left the Becket firm as assistant director of design to open own office 1956 â€" Started own firm of Richard L. Dorman 7 Associates in Los Angeles 1975 - Sold the firm Richard L. Dorman FAIA to Theodore Barry Marketing Consultants, California only. Instigated a consulting design contract for five years. 1975 â€" Moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico with family and started Richard L. Dorman, F.A.I.A., a New Mexico Firm 1996 â€" Sold the firm to associate/partner Larry Breen, A.I.A. Then retired after disposing commercially held property 1996 to present â€" Organized a new business â€" R.D. Publications, doing books on Narrow Gauge railroads in Colorado and New Mexico. Writing, collecting materials and publishing 13 books ACHIEVEMENTS (2) National A.I.A Awards, 1957 and 1961 New York Architectural League Award, 1960 City of Los Angeles Grand Prix Award, 1967 United States Plywood Association Award, 1973 (6) Southern California A.I.A. Awards (3) Institutions magazine interior design awards for restaurants (7) House and home awards for residential designs (5) Sunset Magazine awards for residences Won competition for a trade fair pavilion for U.S. Department of Commerce, Salonika, Greece, 1962 Selected by Life Magazine "The Take Over Generation", September 1962 Selected by Academy of Achievement, "Golden Plate Award", 1963 Board Member, Southern California Chapter AIA â€" 5 years Board Member Architectural Guild, President, Final Year Western States Award â€" Sperry/Rand, Albuquerque, 1978 Award â€" New Mexico Chapter, AIA, Dorman/Breen Office, 1980 Achieved fellowship for design, National AIA at Portland, Oregon, 1968 He was named one of Americas top Architect's by The American Institute of Architects Richard pursued his hobby building models of Narrow Gauge Railroads, which have been featured in national magazines. He wrote 13 books on early narrow gauge trains in New Mexico and Southern Colorado, including, The Chile Line and Santa Fe the City Different. Richard donated 25,000 photos of early railroad history to the Cumbres â€" Toltec Museum in Albuquerque. Richard was a Deacon of The First Baptist Church of Santa Fe. After the death of his loving wife of 62 years, Richard married Barbara Kenyon in 2008. Richard was a true gentleman, as he was a gentle, humble man, who valued truth and responsibility in business and life. He was much loved by many people and will be greatly missed. American history is filled with everyday Americans who rise up and do extraordinary things, one of which is Richard Lee Dorman. A Memorial Service will take place at The First Baptist Church on Old Santa Fe Trail, at 11:00 am, on Saturday, April 10, 2010. Arrangements are under the direction of Berardinelli Family Funeral Service 1399 Luisa Street, Santa Fe, NM 87505 (505)984-8600