Robert Fred Dorner

Dr. Robert Fred Dorner, of Rochelle Park, New Jersey, born on September 1, 1943, passed away at age 75 on June 27, 2019, in Charleston, South Carolina.

He earned his Ed.D., New York University: M.A., Montclair State College; B.S., Trenton State College in Industrial Engineering (1965).

While living in Cedar Grove, NJ, he thrived sharing what he knew with his students, friends, and family as a professor and deputy chair at Montclair State University. Bob was also a friend of Bill W. and did much work in giving back to that fellowship as it gave him a new lease on life.

In 2009, after 41 years, he retired and headed south to Charleston to enjoy some quality time with his son in the warmth. Bob married Patricia Welling 7 years ago, whom he loved very much and fondly called, his angel on earth. While they didn’t have many years together, he was so pleased to have her in this new chapter of his life and enjoyed the wonderful garden she maintains. Trumpet flowers were Bob’s favorite. Having that new love made his last years some of his happiest.

While enjoying the warmer weather in SC kept him some distance from his two daughters and their families, his heart was always with them. In the past few years, he was able to spend some quality time getting closer to his grandson Adam and sharing his love of science with lessons on magnets and magnetic engines. Always the Teacher. This past October Bob had the pleasure of welcoming his latest grandson Grayson into this world and was excited and looking forward to the future of sharing his knowledge with him. Another future student of the true Genius that was Bob.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Patricia Welling Dorner, his son, Robert Norris (Crystal) Dorner; daughters, Wendy (Rich) Pursell and Meridith (Doug) Rafeld; sisters, Susan Accardo and Lynn (Walter) Penkalski; grandchildren Adam William Pursell, Ella Jane Rafeld, Marjorie Grace Rafeld, and Grayson Seabrook Dorner; many nieces and nephews as well as ex-wives Sharon Dorner Andelora & Cathy Norris Bush; the mothers of his children. He also leaves behind his greatly loved dogs, Scout, Mac, and Tinker.

Bob had a passion for electronics & robotics, photography, Auto cad, designing & building award-winning equipment for his physics classes, planes & flying, family ancestry and constantly questioning why and how things occur in the world & universe. “Let’s take it apart and see how this thing works.” His ingenuity led him to assist Bell Atlantic Labs in designing presentations and creations of new technologies decades before their time, some of which we are only experiencing now.

He wrote papers, articles and did research on L.E.D. development, robotics, physics, and fiber optic technologies. In recent years he loved debating politics, watching golf, taking his dog babies on long car rides with his new love Patricia, continuing to add to his massive tool collection and of course taking things apart. Bob could fix anything. “Good Job Bob,” on a life well lived! We will miss you dearly.

Ed.D., New York University; M.A., Montclair State College; B.S., Trenton State College

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Charleston Animal Society in Dr. Dorner's name.

Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at www.mcalister-smith.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to McAlister-Smith Funeral Home, West Ashley, 2501 Bees Ferry Road, Charleston, SC 29414, (843) 722-8371.