Submitted by Bill Norvell 1965 <w.norvell@att.net> on 23/Mar/2021 108.75.157.246
John Dockstader, 78, of Hanover, MD died on March 19, 2021 after a long journey
with lung cancer. He is survived by his wife, Marsha Jackson, his sisters
Patricia Bloomer and Anne Dockstader of Newburgh, NY, his brother Bill
Dockstader (Nancy) of Buffalo, NY, his daughters Sue Dockstader (Steen Mitchell)
of Eugene, OR and Christine Dockstader (Barry Ritter) of Highland, MD, his
granddaughter Willow Ritter, his brother-in-law Jim White of Baltimore, MD,
thirteen nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, and many close cousins
and friends. He was predeceased by his parents, Gertrude (Flynn) and John J.
Dockstader of Newburgh, NY. John earned his BA from Western Michigan University
after completing two years at Orange County (NY) Community College, followed by
an MA from New Paltz University (NY) and a PhD from the University of Maryland.
He worked as a child and family therapist for the Mount Vernon Community Mental
Health Center in Alexandria, VA. John was a competitive distance runner starting
in 9th grade, winning many races and setting course records during his career
which extended through college and beyond. He placed 29th out of ~500
participants in the 1966 Boston Marathon, his first at that distance. He
continued his love for the sport by coaching high school cross country and track
teams for decades, including 25 years at Meade High School in Anne Arundel
County, MD. Contributions to charitable organizations that support children,
reduce hunger and poverty, care for animals, or promote cancer research would
honor the values that John cherished.
John Dockstader, 78, of Hanover, MD died on March 19, 2021 after a long journey
with lung cancer. He is survived by his wife, Marsha Jackson, his sisters
Patricia Bloomer and Anne Dockstader of Newburgh, NY, his brother Bill
Dockstader (Nancy) of Buffalo, NY, his daughters Sue Dockstader (Steen Mitchell)
of Eugene, OR and Christine Dockstader (Barry Ritter) of Highland, MD, his
granddaughter Willow Ritter, his brother-in-law Jim White of Baltimore, MD,
thirteen nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, and many close cousins
and friends. He was predeceased by his parents, Gertrude (Flynn) and John J.
Dockstader of Newburgh, NY. John earned his BA from Western Michigan University
after completing two years at Orange County (NY) Community College, followed by
an MA from New Paltz University (NY) and a PhD from the University of Maryland.
He worked as a child and family therapist for the Mount Vernon Community Mental
Health Center in Alexandria, VA. John was a competitive distance runner starting
in 9th grade, winning many races and setting course records during his career
which extended through college and beyond. He placed 29th out of ~500
participants in the 1966 Boston Marathon, his first at that distance. He
continued his love for the sport by coaching high school cross country and track
teams for decades, including 25 years at Meade High School in Anne Arundel
County, MD. Contributions to charitable organizations that support children,
reduce hunger and poverty, care for animals, or promote cancer research would
honor the values that John cherished.
