
Robert "Bob" Hyman Dorfman
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Robert "Bob" (Hyman) Dorfman, 99, longtime resident of Superior, WI, died peacefully with family present on July 2, 2020, in Athens, GA. He was born May 2, 1921, in Istanbul, Turkey, to Simon and Fruma (Serabrinsky) Dorfman, who themselves were refugees from Odessa, Russia (now the Ukraine). From the time he arrived in the U.S. as an infant with his mother, Bob began a remarkable and inspiring life characterized by grit and perseverance. While spending his early years in Massachusetts, the majority of Bob's childhood was spent in Denver, CO. where he relocated with his mother who was gravely ill with tuberculosis. Bob was placed in a children's home while his mother was cared for at a TB sanitarium. She eventually passed away and Bob lived in the home until he graduated from Denver's North Side High School. Bob earned citizenship by serving in the Army during WWII. He met and married his wife Dorothy in Frederick, MD, after a brief courtship during the war. Together they raised eight children in Superior, near Dorothy's family, where Bob earned a masters degree in from Superior State Teacher's College. He taught elementary school in the Superior Public School District until he retired in 1983. Bob had a passion for life, art and music. While teaching, he established a bicycle repair business known as The Crank Shop, and he continued that work into his retirement. Bob's greatest achievement was creating a family with Dorothy and providing for them. Bob is a memorable man, even legendary in some circles for his propensity for frugal living, sharp tongue and quick wit, but also for his generosity. He had a soft spot for those less fortunate and for those who provided assistance in any form to him or his family.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Simon & Fruma Dorfman and wife Dorothy (Wiesen). He is survived by sons Paul (Celina) of Watkinsville, GA, Ted (Lisa) of Greensburg, PA, Jeffrey (Heidi) of Superior, WI, Charles (Maria) of Athens, GA and Steven (Joy) of Sacramento, CA; daughters Anna (David Burgess) Holmberg of Athens, GA, Rebecca (the late Larry) Anderson of Superior, WI and Sara (Andy Lisak) Dorfman of Superior, WI; 22 grandchildren
and 8 great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be scheduled at a later date. Memorials may be made in Bob's name to the Superior Scholarship Foundation or to the Friends of the Superior Public Library.
Lord & Stephens, West, Watkinsville, GA is in charge of arrangements. www.lordandstephens.com
