Robert William Dougherty

Bob was born on April 11, 1959 in North Tarrytown, New York to William and Ruth Dougherty of Irvington. He is survived by an older sister, Linda and two younger brothers, Bill and David. Bob was drawn to the outdoors from an early age and moved to Oregon after completing high school in Ossining and Junior College at Cobleskill College in upstate New York. Here he pursued his studies of Fisheries and Wildlife at Oregon State University until his senior year in 1983 when job prospects in the field looked grim. Switching his major to education seemed a logical choice - teach young people an appreciation for the natural world while preserving his summers for the ultimate fishing experience in Newport, Oregon.

Thirty-two passionate years of teaching science culminated with a new marriage to the love of his life, Nicole Rebecca Gordon, formerly of Mechanicsville, Maryland. Together with his son, Drake, and Nicki’s sons, Jack and Calvin Ruth, the Doughertys entered retirement. From the start, no union was more filled with love than theirs. Bob is grateful for all that life has offered him. For those that were fortunate to know Bob, passion and gratitude were two qualities that defined his life, always believing that he was gifted more than any one person deserved.

Nine years after retirement, a cancerous kidney was removed to extend Bob’s life. Now looked at as no more than a bump in the road, the diagnosis did little to extinguish the lights of his life. “God brought me this life and to God be the glory! What a humbling ride.” This May, Bob and his niece, Sage, started a one hundred day writing project to share their lives of gratitude with anyone who seeks to know what’s important to them.

A private memorial is being held for family members only. In lieu of flowers or gifts, donations can be made to Pastega House in Corvallis, a house of love and healing. Phone: 541-768-4650