David James Doerge was born in Saint Louis, MO on August 26, 1948 to the late Clyde James Doerge and Ruby Merle Brooner (now Kim McMichael). Even as a young boy, David had an affable personality and a sense of social justice, choosing his friends based upon the content of their character. He grew up in various parts of Missouri with his younger sister, Deborah Doerge and his beloved dog, Penny. After a brief stint in college, David left his studies to join the US Air Force after the Vietnam War broke out.
He was appointed to Air Force Intelligence, and stationed on the island of Crete. While he never went into specifics about his accomplishments as an Air Force “spy,” he did let slip that President Nixon had to be awakened in the dead of night after one of David’s discoveries. Much to the chagrin of his commanding officers, David never lost his sense of humor while on Crete; he would often change the name or photo of his ID card when passing through high-security checkpoints “to keep the MPs on their toes.” He also had the habit of using military surveillance equipment to pick up Cardinal games and British pirate radio. It was on Crete that he met his wife, Peggy Jane English.
David was honorably discharged in 1972, after he finished service in Taipei, Taiwan. They moved Tempe, AZ where David finished off his undergraduate degree in political science at Arizona State University. David pursued his interest to Washington, DC, where he worked as an aide for Iowa Senator John Chester Culver and served on the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Senator Culver’s temper, which was “measured by how many walls his voice could be heard through,” didn’t impede his respect for David. The young Mr. Doerge was hard-working, intelligent, and quick-witted. David also gained admiration from his peers, not only for his hard work but also for keeping the office environment in good humor. During one late night stint he convinced his co-workers to take turns sliding down the mail shaft of the Senate Administrative building.
Having spent a year in the nation’s capital, David returned to Arizona to further his education. In 1978 he completed his master’s degree in political science at Arizona state, and began working on his PhD at the University of Hawaii in Honolulu. He earned his “ABD” (all but dissertation) in 1979, and returned to Washington D.C. to get back in the action. He displayed his knowledge and intellect with a paper on regarding the role of oil in international policy, which earned him a position on the United States Congressional Arms Control and Foreign Policy Caucus.
After the birth of his son, Louis Edward Doerge, in November of 1981, he and family moved to Muscatine, IA, where David began work at the International relations organization, The Stanley Foundation. Working a number of years in this field, David earned the esteem from colleagues and associates, including members of the UN, eventually earning him the position of Vice President. In October of 1986 his daughter, Hannah Genevieve Doerge, was born. A few years later the Doerges relocated to Iowa City, IA.
Iowa City allowed David to further explore his interest in the arts, using this environment to expose his children to various movies, music and literature. It was through his love and enjoyment of the arts that Louis and Hannah gained a passion for creativity that they relentlessly pursue to this day. Regardless of their failures and successes in this field, David always expressed an intense support and pride for their efforts.
In 1997, he continued his involvement with international affairs and diplomacy by establishing David J. Doerge & Associates. This change allowed him to kindle his passion for teaching, and he became a professor at then Mount Mercy College of Cedar Rapids, IA in 2001.
He and Peggy divorced amicably in 2006 and remained friends. David continued to teach at Mount Mercy and live in Iowa City, enthusiastic about his role as an educator and less enthusiastic about the commute. In 2012, he became Chair of Mount Mercy’s History, Politics, and Justice Department. While in academia he also served as the closing lecturer each summer for the Gould School of Law, University of Southern California; enjoyed the perks of free books while serving on the Council on Foreign Relations’ (CFR) Arthur Ross Book Award nominating committee; and remained a member of the CFR’s Academic Council.
It was at Mount Mercy he met his colleague and partner, Joni Rae Howland. He continued a devoted relationship with her and her twins — Miles and Amelia Morrow—until his death on July 26, 2013 in their home with Joni by his side. As with his own children, David introduced Miles and Amelia to the wonders of the St. Louis Cardinals, and was the ever present, enthusiastic supporter at their music and sporting events. The family enjoyed hiking, watching Cardinals games and films, and taking vacation road trips to such destinations as Maine (via the Cooperstown Baseball Hall of Fame) and the Bad Lands.
David leaves behind his partner, children, family, and many loving friends and colleagues.