William Thomas Doar Jr. ’43

William Thomas Doar Jr. ’43 died June 20, 2016, in Naples, Florida. Tom was born and raised in New Richmond, Wisconsin. He graduated from St. Paul’s Academy, where he was a member of the glee club, on the staff of the school paper and played baseball and basketball. He attended Dartmouth for a year, graduated from the University of Colorado and received his law degree from the University of Wisconsin. His law studies were interrupted by three years in the U.S. Navy. In 1947 he joined his father’s law firm. He remained there for 65 years. From 1969 to 1980 he served as president of the Minnesota Tribune Co., which later became the sole owner of Mid-Western Communications. In 1980 he became chairman, a position he held until his retirement in 1990. He also served on many boards, including for the St. Croix Telephone Co., the New Richmond school system, the New Richmond Golf Club, the Immaculate Conception Church and the Minneapolis Downtown Council. As the linchpin of a large extended family, he was frequently called “Big Tom.” Golf, a favorite pastime, was enjoyed in New Richmond and Naples, Florida, where he and his wife, Jean, had a winter home. In 1947 Tom married Patricia Lynch, who predeceased him. He is survived by Jean, children Kathleen, Thomas and Patrick, six grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.