San Antonio, Texas
1928 - 2024
DOUGLAS NEAL TRAVERS
June 20, 2024
Douglas Neal Travers born 27 June 1928 in San Antonio, Texas, passed away at the age of 95 on 20 June 2024 surrounded by family at his home in San Antonio. Doug will be remembered for his love of family, his accomplishments in radio science and engineering, his passion for finding natural arches in Utah, and his avid desire to learn.
Doug and his late wife Mary (Dorgan) Travers have seven children along with many beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They are: Margaret Lynn (Travers) Ferris and husband Walt Ferris who have five children; the late Joseph Douglas Travers (deceased 2023) and wife Elaine; Susan Mary Travers who has three daughters; Judy Ann (Travers) Cooley who has two children; David Anthony Travers and wife Cindy who have two children; Roderick Neal Travers and wife Lori who have two daughters; and Roy Michael Travers and wife Annette who have two daughters.
Doug was the son of Joseph Doulgas Travers of Connecticut and Mildred Neal of Texas. He grew up on the Neal family dairy farm in San Antonio and later in Los Angeles, California, and in New York, where his father worked in motion pictures. He attended John Hopkins University where he earned a degree in electrical engineering.
Doug and Mary were married in Sacred Heart Parish, Bayside, New York, on September 23, 1950, and they lived in San Antonio after June 1951 when Doug began working for Southwest Research Institute. There he and his team invented and earned patents for groundbreaking radio direction finding antennas and scanning methods. He eventually led the Electromagnetics Division as Vice President until his retirement in 1994, after which he served as a consultant to the Institute.
Doug had many hobbies including genealogy, science fiction, photography, jazz, and playing the piano. However, none was more captivating than his passion for discovering and cataloging natural arches in Arches National Park near Moab, Utah. Over the course of more than four decades, he visited the park dozens of times, discovering many previously unknown arches and documenting hundreds more. A touchscreen kiosk with his arch database is in the park's visitor's center. His children and grandchildren accompanied him on some of his arch-hunting expeditions, and his love of the desert southwest carries on through them.
Visitation will begin on Thursday, June 27, 2024 at 6:00 P.M. in The Angelus Chapel with a Rosary to be recited at 7:00 P.M.
Funeral Mass will be offered on Friday, June 28, 2024 at 9:00 A.M. in the Immaculate Conception Memorial Chapel, located on the grounds of the Oblate School of Theology, 285 Oblate Dr. Interment will follow in Mission Burial Park South.
Memorial donations may be made in his name to the Oblate School of Theology, 285 Oblate Drive, San Antonio, TX, 78216-6693. Arrangements by:
The Angelus
Funeral Home
1119 N. St. Mary's St.
San Antonio,TX 78215
(210) 227-1461
To the Travers family my condolences from the bottom of my heart I had the honor of meeting both Mary and Doug both fine people I enjoyed learning from Doug he always had so much to share with me now they are together again rip Mary Agnes
Mary Agnes Guerrero
July 06, 2024 | Other
I met Doug while I worked at Arches National Park, and he came arch hunting! He was so enthusiastic and wanted to share everything he knew about those crazy "holes in the sandstone." The Park records are so much better with his contributions. RIP, Doug.
Diane Allen
July 04, 2024 | Work
What a great person Doug was, and what an amazing life he led. In 1968 my wife Shirley and I were flown to Texas to interview for a position at SWRI. Hemisphere was on at the time and we were put up at the La Quinta directly across the street. Doug and Mary met us downtown and we enjoyed a memorable and pleasant evening at the then famous Barn Door restaurant. Soon after being hired I endured a horrific and lengthy health event. Doug stood by me through it all. My family and I are...
Dayle Winnie
July 01, 2024 | San Antonio, TX | Coworker
Blessings to his extended family
Jim and Carol McCrae
June 28, 2024 | Fredericksburg, TX | Friend
I remember Doug Travers as a considerate, fine and fair person to work for. He encouraged excellence in all he did and in others who worked with him. May he rest in peace and may God bless him and his family.
Ross Weaver
June 27, 2024 | Work
I will never forget travelling to Moab, Utah and Mr. Travers being our tour guide on many hikes in Arches National Park with the extended Travers family. He was a kind and thoughtful person who was a pleasure to be around. His Arches legacy will always be a part of my family that we will pass on to generations. May he rest in peace.
David Danchak
June 27, 2024 | San Antonio, TX | Friend
Doug was truly a fine man. He was my cousin and my friend. He helped me so much with getting to know our NEAL ancestors. I loved hearing his stories of how he and Mary traveled near and far with his many computers attached to the dashboard of his car. Much Love and Blessings to you, Doug, and to Mary. You will be missed.
Beverly NEAL BURLINGTON
June 26, 2024 | Derry, NH | Family
As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.
Ju
June 26, 2024
What a wonderful man! What a lovely gift for us to move in down the cul-de-sac from Mary, Neal and the youngest of their children in 1977. I know he and Mary are celebrating. I miss them both. Sending much love to all the Travers Family.
J’Ann Allen
June 25, 2024 | St. Louis, MO | Friend
