Peter Paul Dorner
January 13, 1925 - June 04, 2018
Obituary
MIDDLETON-Peter Paul Dorner was born in Luxemberg, Wis, on Jan. 13, 1925, to Peter and Monica (Altmann) Dorner. He married Lois Cathryn Hartnig on December 26, 1950. Peter served in the U. S. Army Infantry from Aug. 1, 1944 to Aug. 15, 1946 as an infantry soldier of the 41st Division and part of the invasion force that landed at Zamboanga on the island of Mindanao in the Philippine Islands on March 10, 1945. Upon honorable discharge, he returned to that 80 acre far m 3 ½ miles South-Southwest of the Village of Luxemberg which he operated with his parents until the time that it was sold in 1948. Peter retained vivid and happy memories of growing up on that farm. To him, that was a more significant part of his identity than the fact that he had a PhD. from Harvard University. And the interesting irony here is that he never attended high school. He was awarded a GED diploma in 1948, the year he began his studies at UW-Madison. Peter received the BS degree in Agricultural Economics in 1951. The MS in Agricultural Economics from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville was awarded to him in 1953. And in 1959, he received his PhD. in Economics from Harvard. He taught and did research at the University of Tennessee in 1953-54. From 1954-56 he taught Farm Management and Rural Development to Extension Agents throughout the state of Wisconsin. He also did research and teaching at Harvard from 1957-59. From 1959 until he retired in 1989 he was Professor of Agricultural Economics at UW-Madison. From 1963-65 he was Professor of Agricultural Economics at the Graduate School of the University of Chile in Santiago. From 1967-68 he was Senior Staff Economist with the U. S. President’s Council of Economic Advisors. From 1980-89 he served as Dean of International Studies and Programs at UW-Madison. Peter authored or co-authored six professional books; he authored one or more chapters in 17 multi-authored books. He authored numerous articles in professional journals and equal numbers in Extension outlets and the Popular Press. Peter’s last book, which many have enjoyed, was "Growing up in Wisconsin and My Life Beyond." He is survived by his wife, Lois (Hartnig) Dorner; and his children, Catherine (Mark) Mathwick, Gregory L. (Sharon Larson) Dorner, Paul J. Dorner, Sara J. (John Becker) Dorner, and Carolyn R. Dorner. Peter was preceded in death by his parents, Peter and Monica Dorner; brothers, Killian and Clarence; and sisters, Aurelia Coppens and Johanna (Joey) Mleziva. It was Peter’s wish, to have his body cremated and have his organs available for transplant as needed.Peter Dorner Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, July 7, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. in the Fireside Room, Middleton Glen Retirement Community, 6720 Century Ave., Middleton. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Events
Memorial Service
Sat Jul 7, 2018 @ 2:00 PM CDT
Fireside Room, Middleton Glen Retirement Community • 6720 Century Ave, Middleton, WI 53562
Photos
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Memories
GC
Gerald Campbell
Other •
I greeted Professor Peter Dorner, the Chair of the Agricultural Economics Department at UW-Madison in Spring 1973 . I was arriving as an Assistant Professor fresh from Michigan State University. He gave me a gracious welcome, treating me as a new faculty colleague. I had an immediate connection with Peter which grew over time. His path to distinguished professor and university administrator gave me courage. I too was a farm boy who had aspired to learn and teach in a University. I was humbled to be at the University of Wiscosnin at Madison . Peter Dorner had deep Wisconsin roots which he celebrated often. After he left the role of Department Chair Peter had a small office adjacent to their elevator on the third floor of Agriculture Hall. The office invited everyone to stop in and share the successes and cares of the day. On the wall was a prominent painting of a team of work horses which were the horses Peter Dorner famed with outside Luxembourg, WI. Several times he told Merrill stories about those horses revealing what they meant to him and his connection to Wisconsin farm life. I have neglected to visit Professor Dorner in recent years. I regret that neglect. He was among the most important colleagues and mentors I had. Thank you Peter for your generous spirit in helping me remember where I came from and the opportunity I had as a UW faculty member.
MM
Mark Marquardt
Other •
My deepest sympathies and condolences to Peter's family. I remember Professor Dorner as a humble man. I was one of his RAs in the late 70s. He taught me Agricultural Economics and Development Theory. But most importantly he taught me how to deal with people, which has been one of my most valuable educational experiences. The old school, hands on experiences, and rural background, coupled with the ability to talk to people of all levels and status is sorely missed in this day of modern technology technology and instant communication. I was blessed with the opportunity to know and work with you in those years.
JG
James Galbraith
Other •
I did not know Professor Dorner but was intrigued and pleased to learn about him, about his impotant work on land tenure under the Alliance for Progress, and in particular that he was the thesis advisee of my father at Harvard in the late 1950s. I am sure my father would have written, as I do now, to extend condolences from the Galbraith family to Professor Dorner's family and friends.
James Galbraith