Robert H. Doerring

LANCASTER – Robert H. “Bob” Doerring, age 93, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Monday, January 1, 2024, at Grant Regional Health Center, Lancaster.  He was born on August 9, 1930, in Luana, IA, on the Doerring Family Farm in Clayton County, Marian Township, the son of Ed A. and Irene (Brandtman) Doerring.  He was the youngest of four children.  Bob was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Luana. He was later baptized at St. Clement Catholic Church in Lancaster and confirmed at St. John’s Catholic Church in Patch Grove.  In 1957, Bob came to Lancaster and bought Bowl-A-Drome.  He was united in marriage to Doris R. Bierman at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Tennyson on October 11, 1960.  Two children were born to this union, Kevin E. and Cathy Ann.  In 1971, a fire destroyed the bowling alley.  In 1972, Bob built Fireball Lanes, retiring on August 1, 2004. 

Survivors include his loving wife, Doris; their children: Kevin Doerring and Cathy Ritter; grandchildren: Joshua Doerring, Robert (Leah) Ritter, Eric (Lauma) Ritter; three sisters-in-law: Mary Jayne Menne, Madonna Ashbrook, Marlene Bierman; many nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.

In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by two brothers: Charles and Eugene Doerring; a sister, Lu Nida (Victor) Sebastian; two sisters-in-law: Marian and Rita Doerring; four brothers-in-law: Frank Menne, Nick, DeWayne, and Sam (Janice) Bierman.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, January 6, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Clement Catholic Church in Lancaster.  Private family burial will be held at St. Andrew Cemetery in Tennyson at a later date.  Family and friends may call on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of services at the church.  Martin Schwartz Funeral Home & Crematory in Lancaster is assisting the family.  The family requests those in attendance to please wear Chicago Cubs, Iowa Hawkeyes, or Green Bay Packer apparel.