Bobby Doerge

(From Campbell-Biddlecome Funeral Home)

Bobby Jean Rinehart Grainger Doerge
Sunrise May 2, 1926
Sunset August 16, 2019

As it happened our new next door neighbor was in charge of installing the first computer ( Knovac ) in Joplin in the Newman’s office.

As it happened our new next door neighbor was in charge of installing the first computer ( Knovac ) in Joplin in the Newman’s office. It took up an entire room. Bob Rice taught Bobby how to become a keypunch operator, the first in Joplin. Bobby’s next job was office management for International Paper & Bag Company. She worked there until met and married her second husband Claude. Together they helped many patients including me overcome injuries and illnesses running their Doerge Physiotherapy Clinic until Doc himself got sick.

Bobby’s work history didn’t stop after Claude passed away because he left her a farm in Kansas to rent out and lease the acreage to be farmed. Bobby continued doing this into her 90’s.

It was at Swars Prairie Baptist Church Bobby met her first husband Marvin Grainger whose father was the minister. They dated some in high-school and later married in June of “46”. As a family we enjoyed boating on the nearby lakes and took many vacation car trips. We camped in every state park in Colorado, got our worst sunburns on the beach in Biloxi, Mississippi, climbed down into the Grand Canyon and drove to the top of Pikes Peak. They divorced but Bobby later traveled with Claude going deep-sea fishing off the coast of Florida. They too enjoyed Grand Lake having a boat docked near the dam. They camped in Wyoming where Bobby hunted and Killed her first Elk. After Clade passed Bobby traveled with her sister Mary Lee and an education group who toured Europe and Mexico. They also traveled several times to visit the Ohio and New York relatives going across the border into Canada and visiting Niagara Falls. Mom said of all these travels the green fields of Ireland were her favorite.

During high school Bobby was a member of the business club, set on the student counsel one year and was the drum majorette for the school marching band. Skating was quite popular as recreation in the 40’s and Bobby excelled at skate dancing. After WWII she was a hostess for USO functions held at Camp Crowder. At that time, she was also a member of Beta Sigma Phi sorority. From Bobby’s 30’s well into her 80’s she bowled on many league teams in Joplin and traveled with them to bowling tournaments. She was a skilled bowler winning numerous patches and trophies. Picking up the “Big 4” being just one example. Bobby became a life-time member of the ladies Auxiliary in Columbus, Kansas. It was through the groups that long-lasting friendships developed, the Bass family form Columbus and Gert Kelly in Joplin. Another good friend Jim Brown who ran errands and drove Bobby where ever when she no longer could. Ya’ll had some good times.

Bobby has always been a member of the Baptist faith, lastly being a member of Harmony Heights Baptist Church in Joplin, Missouri. However, it was Swars Prairie Baptist Church original building where she grew up as a member, was baptized and where she now returns for her eternal resting place.

Visitation

Wednesday August 21, 2019 | 10:00am - 11:00am

Service

Wednesday August 21, 2019 11:00am
Swars Prairie Baptist Church
DD Higway
SENECA, MO 64865