Paul Steven Doescher

June 3, 1953 - August 2, 2017

Paul S. Doescher June 3, 1953 – August 2, 2017 Paul Steven Doescher died Wednesday at Evergreen Hospice House in Albany from bile duct cancer. He was 64. The first of three children, Paul was born in Chicago, Illinois to Phyllis and Paul Doescher. He attended public school in Libertyville, Illinois. He enjoyed playing trumpet in his high school jazz band, canoeing the Boundary Waters and counseling at Camp Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan. Much of his childhood was spent roaming woods, fishing polluted waters, and hunting on farm fields surrounding his home, areas rapidly developing into strip malls and rows of houses. This destruction and disregard for nature set an early environmental ethic that carried throughout his life. Paul earned his BS in Forestry from the University of Illinois, MS in Resource Conservation from the University of Montana, and PhD in Rangeland Resources from Oregon State University. It was in college, through some amazing mentors, his career was directed into Ecology and Natural Resource Management. In his 32 years at Oregon State University, he cared deeply about friends, colleagues and most importantly, students. He served as Director of the Natural Resources Program, Department Head of Forest Ecosystems and Society, and Faculty Senate President. He published or co-published numerous articles and participated in several grants. He received a number of awards for university teaching in both the Colleges of Agriculture and Forestry, and the national teaching award in Range Management. Paul married the love of his life, Sue, on August 2, 1975 in Long Grove, Illinois. They have one beautiful daughter, Kara, who is 23. Throughout his life, Paul enjoyed fly-fishing in Oregon and Montana, playing handball (two state and one regional championships for doubles), cycling, cross-country skiing, eating creative foods, traveling, and spending quality time with his girls. Paul is survived by his wife of 42 years, Sue; daughter, Kara of Missoula, Montana; mother and father, Phyllis and Paul of Vernon Hills, Illinois; siblings and their families, Noel Roth (David) of Flagstaff, Arizona, Aaron, Brian, and Kristie (Gen); Mark, (Dorothy Rhoades), Tess and Samuel of Nichols Hills, Oklahoma; his fishing Uncle Winston, and numerous cousins. Paul was a kind and generous man with an easy smile, eager to show his sense of humor. He embraced his passions wholeheartedly and was excited to share them with others, whether it be fly fishing, identifying native grasses or learning how to hang a spoon from a nose. A memorial service will take place at 11am, Friday, August 25, at First Presbyterian Church, 114 SW 8th, Corvallis. The Rev. Sharon Edwards officiating. A potluck brunch continues the celebration of Paul’s life, 10am-12pm, Saturday, August 26, at Avery Park’s Maple Grove Shelter, Corvallis. The family thanks the generous medical professionals, family members and good friends for their loving care and support of Paul and his family throughout his illness. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to The Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation, 5526 West 13400 South, #510, Salt Lake City, UT 84096; First Presbyterian Church, 114 SW 8th, Corvallis, OR 97333; Evergreen Hospice House, 4600 Evergreen St. SE, Albany, OR 97321; or the Society for Ecological Restoration, Great Basin, Doescher Fund (student activities), 4283 N. Marcliffe Ave., Boise, ID 83704 Arrangements were made by DeMoss-Durdan Funeral Home. www.demossdurdan.com