Robert Melvin Doan

Robert (Bob) Melvin Doan, 97, went to be with our Lord on October 9, 2025, from his residence in Katy, Texas, after a short illness. A celebration of life will be held in Weston Lakes, Texas, on Saturday, October 25, 2025 at 1:00 pm, Central Time.

Bob was born January 10, 1928, in Southport, New York, to John Melvin Doan and Violet Elinore Gunsolus. He graduated from Southport High School, Elmira, New York, during 1946, and enlisted in the U.S. Army. He served two separate tours with the Army between 1946 and 1951, including being assigned to the Army of Occupation Japan. He held different jobs during his lifetime including assistant manager of a men's clothing store in Ithaca, New York. In 1988, he received his degree from the International Bible Institute and Seminary. He continued his calling as a pastor and retired after many years serving the Lord from Etna Community Church in Etna, New York. For many years he was active with the Danby Federated Church as well as the Boy Scouts, the Danby Fire Department, and the Masons where he served as master of Caroline Lodge 681.

He married Sidney Jean Fairbanks of Homer, New York, on August 7, 1954, in Ithaca, New York, where they settled for a couple of years before moving to Danby, New York, for roughly the next 60 years. They were married for 67 years when Sidney preceded him in death on December 12, 2021.

He will be missed by son, Robert J. Doan and wife Christina of Tequesta, Florida; daughter, Pennie L. Opdyke and husband Scott of Weston Lakes, Texas; daughter, H. Kay Ritz and husband Gary of Hunt, New York; son, Tim Doan and wife Stephanie of Norfolk, Virginia; and one other son Gossa Tsegaye and wife Elizabeth of Ithaca, New York. Robert had ten beautiful grandchildren and ten amazing great-grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by a host of close friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Sidney, five brothers and two sisters. We will miss hearing him say "God bless" at the end of every conversation.

Those wishing to donate to a charity in memory of Robert Doan may donate to the Alzheimer's Association (https://www.alz.org/nca/donate), Etna Community Church, 1 Upper Creek Road, Etna, New York 13062 or Renovation House, Spencer, NY (https://www.renovationhouse.org/)

Inurnment with a graveside service will be at Glenwood Cemetery in Homer, New York, alongside Sidney sometime in the Spring of 2026.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank-you to Halcyon Home Hospice for their love and care.

To leave condolences, please visit www.SchmidtFuneralHome.net