Between 1790 and 1815 many immigrants from southern Germany made their way to south Russia for the opportunities of free land grants, religious freedom, exemption from military service and the self administration of their schools, churches and communities. Harold’s parents were born in Neudorf on the Black Sea. Life was good until 1871 when self-administration ended and was military draft reinstated and basic freedoms became threatened.

In 1903, Harold’s grandparents, Micheal and Karolina Dockter and their seven children set sail from Bremen to New York. The ticket included rail transportation to Eureka, S.D. That summer the family made its way to North Dakota and homesteaded seven miles northwest of Streeter. On that farm, Harold was born on March 27, 1923 to August and Matilda Dockter. There are many wonderful stories of growing up on the farm with brothers Edwin, Arthur, Adam, Howard and sisters Viola and Ruth. On the plains of Dakota, the Black Sea Germans had found the life they had looked for on the steppes of Russia.

At age 212, Harold joined the Marines and after receiving basic training and the nickname “Doc,” was stationed at Mare Island. It was there that he met Marjorie Payne and they were married in June 1946. Both Marge and Doc attended University of Redlands. Soon three little surprises arrived; Steve (1948) Gary (1949) and Bruce (1950). When Doc found employment at Kramer Auto Supply in 1954, the family moved to Eureka, Calif. Doc eventually purchased Knight Engine Repair and Murl Johnson Machine and ran both shops for many years.

It was not unusual to find Doc relaxing on the couth, reading the sports page, and watching a game on television, while at the same time listening to another game on the radio. When “picture in picture” was invented, it was heaven for the ultimate sports multi-tasker. Doc loved golf and was a founding member of the Lou Stielin Golf Tournament. As his game declined in the last few years, he had to ask himself “Is there life after golf?” The answer was “Yes, but not nearly as interesting or fun.”

Back in days when fish were still plentiful on the north coast, Doc owned a commercial fishing vessel. Doc was an avid fly fisherman and fished the Trinity River Gorge at every opportunity. The only things he found as exciting as fly-fishing for Steelhead were his Christmas Island trips with Andy Anderson to fish for bonefish. A fifty-year observer at the local rivers, Doc was very concerned about the effect current logging practices were having on fish populations.

Doc was an enthusiastic basketball fan and loved watching the HSU men’s amd women’s teams play. A special thank to Jeff Walker and Jim Pastori, who always made sure he had a ticket and a way to get there. The family is very grateful to Jim and Joy Pastori for the regular check-ins and many hot dishes, many thanks to Sharon Crossland for including him in every family event.

Doc is survived by Bruce and Suzanne Dockter of Bayside, Gary and Sharon Dockter and family of Alachua, Fla., Steve Dockter of La Paz, granddaughter Jesse Perron of Portland, Ore., Jan Perrone of Arcata, Calif., Marge of Streeter, N.D., Howard and Lorrie Dockter and Ruth and Elroy Fisher of Gackle, N.D., Adam and Christine Dockter of Billings, Mont., longtime companion Jeannie Newstrom of Eureka, Calif., and many loved nieces and nephews.

Even though the cake had been ordered for Doc’s 85th birthday, he couldn’t stay. His warm smile and quick and hearty laugh will be missed by one and all.