Robert F. Dornon, Md

Robert Frederick Dornon, MD passed away peacefully after many years of illness on May 19, 2017 in Bellville, TX. The second son of John G. and Frances Dornon, he was born December 4, 1941 in Harlan, Iowa. He is preceded in death by his parents and brother, John R. Dornon. Growing up in Harlan, he was respected for his musical ability, intelligence and kindness. He was the valedictorian of Harlan High School in 1960 and remained close with classmates his entire life. Norman “Snooks” Wilcox called weekly in the final years, to share political views and make his buddy laugh. Monty Christiansen ensured Robert often received cards and letters from others. He remained an Iowa Hawkeyes fan for life and always knew he would see his Cubs win the World Series. Robert graduated from Augustana College and received his medical degree from The University of Iowa. During his internship, he directed a group of schizophrenics in a play so remarkable it was televised locally. He went on to do his psychiatry residency at the Menninger Clinic, where he was Chief Resident. He taught at University of Nebraska College of Medicine, where he prepared a group of Vietnamese physicians for the psychiatry boards, a daunting task given the language and cultural barriers. With his typical zeal, every physician passed, and Robert presented the accomplishment to the audience in Vietnamese. In addition to Vietnamese, he taught himself Spanish, Russian and German. The last so that he could interpret the nuances of Sigmund Freud’s writings in his native tongue. He moved to Houston in 1977, where he opened one of the largest and most innovative adolescent psychiatric clinics in the country with 60 plus inpatients and hundreds of outpatients under his care at any given time. There he met the adolescent psychotherapist who shared his values, beliefs and compassion, and who would become his best friend, confidante, love of his life and wife, Nancy. Robert and Nancy were married August 8, 1990 in Annapolis, MD and lived in St. Petersburg, FL before returning to Texas in 1996, choosing to raise their four sons in Bellville, a community that shared their values of family, faith and hard work. Robert enthusiastically supported his sons’ academic and athletic efforts and attended every event he could. His sons never doubted their father’s love and support. He was their biggest fan. After they graduated he remained an avid Brahma fan, tuning in religiously on Friday nights when he couldn’t attend. Despite Robert’s skill and professional success, his proudest accomplishment in life was his family. His love for Nancy and their boys spurred his will to live to see his sons become men he was incredibly proud of, to enjoy his wonderful grandsons and, humbly, have a namesake. The family is forever grateful to caregivers, Tammy Holmes, Tammy Reese, and Greg Steussel, who lovingly cared for “Doc” and became family. Robert is survived by his wife, Nancy; sons, Greg of Sarasota, FL, Garrett and wife Shannon of Bellville, Andrew and Carissa of Austin, and Austin of Temple. He delighted in his grandsons Wyatt James and Brooks Robert, both of Bellville. He is also survived by his “Sis,” Mary Verdi and husband Bud, of Lafayette, IN and nieces, Kelly, Kerry and Kirsten and nephew, Chris.