PHILIP H. DORFF Jr.

PHILIP H. (PHIL) DORFF, JR.

Urbandale

Philip H. (Phil) Dorff, Jr., 59, of Urbandale died Wednesday, September 23, while on a fishing trip on the Big Thompson River near Loveland, Colorado. Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, October 1, at McLaren's Resthaven Funeral Chapel in West Des Moines. Memorial services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, October 2, at Lutheran Church of Hope in West Des Moines.

Phil was born October 8, 1949, to Philip H. and Nancy (Hetherington) Dorff. He was a 1967 graduate of Roosevelt High School, where he competed on the track and cross-country teams, and was a member of the two-mile relay that set a school record. He continued running while attending Colorado College in Colorado Springs, and was also a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity there. Phil graduated from C.C. with a degree in English in 1971.

Upon graduation, Phil worked briefly with his father at the former Cloud Room restaurant at the Des Moines Airport, then pursued a journalistic path, working with the West Des Moines Express, Urbandale Today, and KWKY radio. He later worked for North Central Adjustment Company as an insurance claims adjustor. In 1979, he entered Drake Law School, graduating with his J.D. in 1982. From then until 2007, he practiced law with the Des Moines firm of Hopkins and Huebner, P.C., specializing in insurance defense, employment, and environmental law.

Phil adored his children, Amanda and Christopher. He coached his kids' softball and baseball club teams, and was an enthusiastic supporter of Amanda's cross-country and musical endeavors and Christopher's baseball career while they were students at Valley High School. A lifelong athlete, Phil was a regular in the Des Moines running circuit for many years. He earned black belts in Tae Kwon Do and Tang Soo Do and also played recreational softball for several league teams. After retirement, he took full advantage of the opportunity to spend more time with his family and friends. He had a particular passion for fly fishing and the outdoors, especially if the location was scenic and the fish were biting.

Phil is survived by his children, Amanda and Christopher, and their mother, Michele, of Des Moines; his brother, Robert (Carolyn) of Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and his children, Justin, Emilie, and Nathan; and his brother, David (Kathy) of Des Moines, and their children, Stephen, Kevin, and Erika. His parents preceded him in death.

Memorials may be made to the family for his children's education; to Trout Unlimited; or to the charity of one's choice.