Doris Virginia Stage Dort

Doris Virginia Stage Dort, 91, of Lawrence died on November 26, 2017 after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. She was born on March 21, 1926 in Eaton, Ohio, the daughter of Mary C. Long Stage and David Arthur Stage. She graduated from Eaton High School in 1944, earned a BS (cum laude) in Chemistry at Miami of Ohio University in 1948, and a PhD in Physical Chemistry in 1955 at Iowa State University. Later she attended a Conference on Colloid, Surface, and Macromolecular Chemistry at Lehigh University, and the Institute on Modern Aspects of Physical Chemistry at Oak Ridge Institute for Nuclear Studies. From 1953 to 1962, Doris taught Chemistry at Fort Hays State University. She was promoted to Full Professor in 1955 and served as Acting Chairman of the Division of Physical Science in 1959-1960. From 1960 to 1962 Doris was Professor and Head of the Department of Chemistry at Women’s Christian College in Madras, India. She was Professor of Chemistry at James Madison University, 1965 to 1967. She also obtained a Private Pilot’s License in Hays in 1965. She was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi, and other honor societies, American Chemical Society, AAAS, Sigma Xi, Kansas Academy of Science and other Professional organizations, at various times in the World Federalists, United Nations Association, League of Women Voters,.

Doris married Wakefield Dort, Jr. on June 10, 1967 and joined him in Lawrence. She participated in geoarchaeological research in the Lemhi Mountains of southeastern Idaho during several summers. In Lawrence she was very active in civic affairs, especially efforts to establish a city bus service and a shelter for homeless people. For several years she taught English as a Second Language to foreign women members of Small World in the Presbyterian Church. She also carried on an extensive correspondence with politicians ranging from the White House and Congress to Kansas representatives and members of County and City governments. She also supported several environmental organizations. Doris is survived by a sister, Donna Hoglund of Crossville, Tennessee, a step son, Christopher Dort, his wife Tisha, and his daughter Brianne Dort of Spotsylvania, Virginia, and his daughter Erin Havrilak of Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

Doris was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Eaton, Ohio and Trinity Lutheran Church in Lawrence where she played in the bell choir and greatly upgraded the library over several years, member of the Senior Clown Club. In addition to her trip to India she also travelled extensively through Europe. In India, she traveled widely through much of the country and was honored by a meeting with the Dalai Lama.

No formal services will be held.