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William Doll
January 29, 1931 - December 27, 2017
Tribute
With great sadness we announce the passing of William Elder Doll, Junior. Bill died peacefully at home in Cobble Hill, BC, December 27, 2017, at the age of 86. He is survived by his wife Donna, her children Jennifer, Sarah and Luke and grandchildren Maeve, Cate, and Reuben; and by his first wife Mary Aswell Doll, their son William, wife Catherine, and grandchildren Alexander and Mason.
Bill Doll was a teacher and teacher educator who achieved the highest honors in his field, praised for his commitment, work ethic, passion, and unrelenting desire to advance curriculum studies internationally. He attended Cornell University, graduating with a B.A. degree in 1953. The M.A. was conferred by Boston University in 1960, and the Ph.D. by the Johns Hopkins University in 1972. After teaching in elementary and middle schools for 15 years, Doll began teaching at the State University of New York at Oswego and, briefly, at the University of Redlands in California. Between 1999 until his retirement in 2007, he held the Vira Franklin & J.R. Eagles Endowed Professorship at Louisiana State University, where a conference room and a fellowship have been named in his honour; the William E. Doll, Jr. Archive – preserving his papers and correspondence – is located in the LSU Library. After retiring from full-time teaching and research Doll was appointed adjunct professor first at the University of Victoria, then at the University of British Columbia where he and Donna Trueit co-taught until 2015. As tribute to Doll’s incredible achievements, a collection of his most memorable essays was published by Routledge in New York under a title that names the areas of Doll’s expansive expertise: Pragmatism, Postmodernism, Complexity Theory: The Fascinating Imaginative Realm of William E. Doll, Jr.
As Bill strolled through life he proactively encouraged us all to pursue our dreams and generously supported us to achieve them. He touched the hearts of many and helped lost souls find their way. In addition to being dignified, courteous, and gracious, he will be remembered for his ebullient laughter, joie de vivre, positive spirit, and uplifting attitude–not to mention the bow ties. If asked, he was always “Ipsy pipsy, A # 1, Yankee Doodles Dandy!” He is much loved by family, friends, students and colleagues and he will be sadly missed. His wonderful life should be joyously celebrated! Whoosh!
A funeral is scheduled for 1pm on Saturday, January 6, 2018 at St Frances Xavier Church, 790 Kilmalu Road, Cobble Hill, BC with a reception to follow at the same location. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Bill’s life. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to William E. Doll Curriculum Theory Project Superior Graduate Student Scholarship. You may make your gift online by visiting http://www.lsufoundation.org/givetoHSE, under Designations click to “choose a fund,” then scroll down to choose “other” and type in William E. Doll Curriculum Theory Project Superior Graduate Student Scholarship into the “gift comments” field. If you prefer to send in a check, please mail to the LSU Foundation, 3796 Nicholson Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70802.
Condolences can be sent to https://www.hwwallacecbc.com/obituaries/?ref=send-condolences
The family would like to thank Cowichan Home Support for their dedicated and caring staff.
Condolences
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From: Helena Rajakaltio
Relation: Friend, colleague and former doctoral student
I’m grateful that I met Bill and his spiritful and inspiring views on life and pedagogics. My, Elilel’s and Julia’s deepest condoleances to Donna and William and others close to Bill.
From: Eero Ropo
Relation: Colleague and friend
Dear Donna and family,
I want to express my and our deepest condolences to you on behalf of dean Risto, Veli-Matti, and Arja and myself.
Bill is and will be deeply missed in Tampere by his colleagues, former students, and friends. He was a dear friend and colleague whose contribitions have made major impact all over the world.
From: Urve Laanemets
Relation: I was the first secretary of IAACS from 2001
Estonian curriculum researchers will greatly miss our friend and colleague William Doll, but he will be well remembered for his great and internationally meaningful contribution to development of teacher education and curriculum studies.We are most honoured to have known him. Let us celebrate his academic achievement by using it for educational developments in our own countries in years to come. Thank you, Bill for everything you so kindly shared.
Sincerely, Urve Laanemets
From: Hongyu Wang
Relation: Former student
As I returned from China yesterday and stepped into the Chicago airport, the world felt different with Bill Doll gone. The sorrow is profound and will linger while endearing memories of his teaching and life are full of his laughter, enthusiasm, joy, and compassion. Bill brought so many gifts to our life and made such an enduring difference to the world. His passion for life and loving spirit will be always with us as we pass on his legacy to the next generation. My deepest sympathy and condolences as well as Chinese colleagues’ and friends’ to Donna and her family.
From: Hannah Spector
Relation: professional/academic - UBC and curriculum theory
I am so sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. He had the most wonderful spirit. I remember him many times standing tall to talk with his students in the classrooms of UBC. He was incredibly generous, full of life and laughter, and made everyone happy who was in his presence. He will be greatly missed. Sending love to Bill’s family at this time.
From: Peggy Faulds
Relation: student and friend
My daughter, Thea, and I will both miss Bill. Although we haven’t seen him for many years, we often talk about him and our wonderful memories visiting him in New Orleans. He was an amazing person – so non-judgmental, caring, fun and generous. He was a great teacher too, and a loving soul. I still treasure my UVic experiences with him. Both Thea and I send our loving thoughts to Donna and William and their families who will miss him deeply.
From: Juliana Saxton
Relation: friend, landlady, colleague and learner
Dearest Donna:
I shall always remember Bill. Like a lighthouse (nattily wrapped by a spiffy bow tie of significance!) he would look down from his great gangly height at us, beaming because he had found a map that we could follow and when we did come up with an understanding, he relished our pleasure in finding our “own” way to the answer. That joy in shedding light is the gift and treasure of a great teacher and, not incidentally, a good man. Bill will be missed by so many but he has left us with so much to think about—he was never a man to let us “rest easy”!
I am thinking of you and sending love. Juliana
From: Monica Collins
Relation: Member of St. Francis Xavier parish
Rest in peace dear Bill. My daughter and I sat in the pew in front of you at Christmas Mass and we got to enjoy your radiant, sweet smile once again. You will be missed by our parish members.
From: Bernadette Baker
Relation: Colleague and friend
The saddest of news about the greatest of minds and most generous of spirits. With love and sympathy to all Bill’s extended family. We miss you already, such a great gentleman and fun guy!
From: Bernadette Baker
Relation: Colleague and friend
The saddest of news about the greatest of minds and most generous of spirits. With love and sympathy to all Bill’s extended family. We miss you already, such a great gentleman and fun guy!
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
Date & Time:
January 6, 2018
Beginning at 1:00pm
Location:
St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church
790 Kilmalu Road
Mill Bay, BC Canada
790 Kilmalu Road
Mill Bay, BC Canada
Memorial Gifts
The family has not designated a preferred charity at this time.
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