Orin Doty

Mr. Orin Don Doty, 89, of Rochester, formerly of Minneapolis, died peacefully Monday, March 27, 2017, in Rochester at Madonna Towers. Orin was born Sept. 19, 1927, in Oelwein, Iowa, to Mildred and William Doty.

Orin grew up in Oelwein and Fayette, Iowa. As a teen, Orin's family relocated to Minnesota and he graduated from high school in Virginia, Minn., in 1945. He married Lois Marie Dick in Minneapolis in 1956.They lived in South Minneapolis, raising two daughters, Jenise and Lisa. He was married to his second wife, June Arlene Hanson, June 3, 1991, in Elk River, Minn. He retired from the Tennant Company in 1989. Orin and June moved to Rochester in the early 2000s to be closer to family.

Orin can be remembered for his political activism. He was a pacifist and conscientious objector during the Korean War. He was active in the Vietnam anti-war movement of the 1960s. He was also a good neighbor and friend, offering a place to stay for those who needed a hand up. He frequently wrote letters to the editor of the newspaper in the city or town where he lived. Over the years, many of his letters were published in the Minneapolis Star Tribune and the Rochester Post Bulletin.

Orin was a devoted son, brother, husband and father. Family was very important to him, and keeping in touch with relatives was a frequent goal. It was his hobby to fix or repurpose things, and he was very inventive. He designed a homemade camper that his family traveled in and a playhouse for his daughters. He also rehabbed the family home and was proud that he could pay off the mortgage on that home in only three years.

Orin was preceded in death by his parents; his two wives; and his older brother, Joel Doty. Orin is survived by his two daughters, Jenise Doty (Scott Smedberg), of Minneapolis, and Lisa Doty Osmon (Doug Osmon), of Rochester; two brothers, Paul Doty (Marie Doty) and Sid Doty (Ruth Doty); six grandchildren, Corbin Doty, Maja Smedberg, Simon Smedberg, Madelyn Osmon, Kyra Osmon, and Julia Osmon; one great-granddaughter; and many nieces and nephews.

At Orin's request, there will be no funeral services. He generously made an anatomical bequest to Mayo Clinic for education and research. A private memorial is planned later this spring.

The family is grateful to the staff and residents of Madonna Meadows and Madonna Towers for their care and friendship during Orin's final years. Memorials are preferred to the charity of your choice.