Douglas R. Dettman

1953 - 2020

Legendary husband, father, grandfather, and wannabe scratch golfer, Douglas R. Dettman peacefully retired in the early morning of Dec. 26, 2020, after spending ten years atop the leaderboard in a decade long, one-on-one skins match with cancer. In an unsurprising show of good sportsmanship, Doug humbly stepped down to surrender his last few holes and met up with a few long-lost buddies for an overdue, cold Budweiser at the 19th hole. Some commentators suspect the forfeiture was also motivated by rumors that Doug's favorite four-legged friend, "Nikki," a yappy tour-favorite who departed the tour several years back, had been spotted at the same watering hole. One thing is certain: Doug was one of the best in the game. He was a class-act whose legacy will live on and be forever remembered and revered by his super-fans, a mob of adoring family and friends who were lucky enough to watch Doug in action throughout his praiseworthy career.

Doug was born on Aug. 5, 1953, in Berwyn, IL, but spent his formidable years in Fort Lauderdale, FL, where he attended Pine Crest School ('71) and established his love for sports as an All-County cornerback on the football team and as a speedy shortstop on the baseball field. He later graduated from Southern Methodist University ('75) in Dallas, TX, and then returned to Fort Lauderdale, where he met his loving wife Leslie at TGI Fridays, and happily resided for the rest of his life.

Doug was a life-long South Florida sports fan. He was a proud Miami Dolphin season ticket holder since their inaugural 1966 season and was also a loyal Heat, Panthers, Marlins, and Strikers fan over his lifetime. Doug was there in the stands to witness his Dolphins perfect their '72 season. In the late 70s, he proudly served as president of the Fort Lauderdale Strikers booster club, the "Striker Likers." In 2013, he was screaming from the rafters of the AAA with his sons as Ray Allen hit a buzzer-beater in Game 6 of the NBA Finals. While he passionately loved South Florida professional sports, Doug found a deeper devotion at the "local" level. As "Coach Doug," he dedicated many Saturday mornings on the sidelines of a soccer pitch at Holiday Park and Mills Pond Park. This is where he could be found channeling his inner Walter Mathau, emulating Coach Buttermaker with his version of the Fort Lauderdale's "Bad News Bears": the "Dettman Penguins," a high-energy, scrappy youth soccer team that saw all four Dettman boys on the roster over a span of nearly 15 years. As a fan, Doug spent countless afternoons in the metal bleachers at Pine Crest School. He was an avid and active supporter of Pine Crest School's sports programs, where he never missed one of his sons' games and developed peculiar passion for stats-keeping.

Doug was a kind, loving man who always put his family first. He loved to travel and shared this passion with his family. He was captain of the Winnebago for many summers traveling cross-country in his rotation of motor homes; it is safe to say that Waffle House has lost a great customer. He guided an entire high school lacrosse team across England and helped stimulate interest in the sport overseas. He trekked through Central America in a non-air conditioned bus with his oldest son. He weaved his way through Europe on several river cruises with his beautiful wife.

Outside of sports and travel, Doug was a successful business leader in South Florida. In 1978, Doug started a diversified real estate company, Dettman Properties, and was a pioneer and innovator in the South Florida real estate industry. He established himself as a respected businessman, philanthropist, and community leader. Doug was an active member of the Fort Lauderdale Yacht Club for many years, as well as the Fort Lauderdale Country Club, where he reenergized his love for golf. However, Doug's proudest accomplishments were not seated in his business or social pursuits. Doug was an immensely loyal, kind, and caring husband to his wife, Leslie, father to his four boys and their partners: Brian and his wife Christina, Derek and his wife Ally, Kenny and his fiancée Casey, and Cavan and his wife Lanie, and "Granddad" to six adoring grandchildren, Frankie, Prisca, Jay, Kai, Devin, and Duke. He would be proud to announce that Jay and Kai were just made "Official Dettmans" as of last week, a final proud Granddad moment as he watched the virtual ceremony with close family members by his side.

Above all, Doug loved his family; they were his greatest accomplishment. The qualities that made Doug so special, he gently instilled in his sons. Words are insufficient to describe what an impact Doug has made on his sons and so many more. His family will miss him dearly.

To honor Doug's memory, and in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Good Samaritan Baptist Ministries via Venmo (@GoodSamaritan-BaptistMinistrie) or by check, which can be mailed to 5040 Penn Rd., Iron Station, NC 28080. Good Samaritan is a non-profit organization that supports humanitarian needs in Africa and assisted Doug's son Brian in adopting his two beautiful granddaughters, Prisca and Frankie. You can learn more about this special organization at goodsamaritanbaptistministries.org.

A memorial will be held for Doug via Zoom on Thursday, Dec. 31, at 1 P.M. Please join the Zoom meeting with the following Zoom ID: 824 6535 5146 or contact kennydettman@gmail.com to request an invitation link.