Robert Paul Durrie Jr.
April 04, 1952 - June 19, 2015
Obituary
Durrie, Robert P., Jr.
LODI- Robert Paul Durrie Jr., aged 63, of Lodi, Wis., died Friday, June 19, 2015, in Lodi, Wis. He was born on April 4, 1952, in Lincoln, Neb., the son of Robert and Mary Durrie. He married Lauren Schaefer on June 11, 1977 in Deerfield, Ill. Robert (Chip) Durrie grew up in Lincoln, Neb., and graduated from Iowa State University with a doctorate in veterinary medicine. He married Lauren while he was in veterinary school in Ames, Iowa. Following graduation they moved to Chicago where he practiced small animal medicine. He went on to earn a doctorate in biochemistry from Loyola University Chicago and taught biochemistry at the medical school. He and Lauren moved to New York where he accepted a position as a research scientist at the Nathan Kline Institute of Orangeburg, N.Y. He spent the next 15 years researching human brain metabolism. He retired in 2000 and settled in Lodi with Lauren. Chip was a master gardener, active in the Lodi Farmers Market and taught horticulture. He also enjoyed woodworking and making furniture. He was a board member of Habitat for Humanity in the local area for many years. Chip was a kind and gentle soul with a quick wit and a wry sense of humor. He loved people and had many close friends. Although Chip was a lifelong diabetic and encountered numerous serious health challenges, as a result, he and Lauren faced life with a positive attitude that was inspirational to all who knew him. He will be missed greatly. He was preceded in death by his father, Robert P Durrie, Sr., and his mother-in-law, Shirley Schaefer. He is survived by his wife, Lauren of Lodi; his mother, Mary Durrie of Lincoln, Neb.; his father-in-law, Richard Schaefer of Lodi; his brother, Daniel Durrie (Anne) of Kansas City, Kan.; his sister, Mary Lynn Reiser (Richard) of Omaha, Neb.; his sister and brother-in-law, Robert and Leslie Evert of Wyocena, Wis., his brother-in-law, Richard Schaefer Jr of Chicago, Ill.; and his nieces and nephews, Todd Reiser, Erin Durrie Stahl, Sally Reiser Christensen, Joshua, Robert Evert and Melissa Schaefer. Private services are planned for family and close friends. Memorials should be directed to Habitat for Humanity Sauk-Columbia Area, P.O. Box 38, Baraboo, WI, 53913. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Hamre Gunderson Funeral & Cremation Care
157 S. Main Street, Lodi
(608)592-3201
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It is with great sorrow - but also great appreciation and fondness - that the staff and Board of Directors (BOD) at Habitat for Humanity of Sauk-Columbia Area (HFHSCA) post this memorial tribute to Chip.
Chip got involved with this local Habitat for Humanity affiliate when we built a duplex in Lodi. Early BOD members and Lodi residents Tim Escher and Jim Schmiedlin encouraged Chip to join the BOD of HFHSCA. Chip had what we call "a heart for Habitat" right from the beginning, diving in and working to find ways for our organization to raise the funds needed to build affordable housing for area residents. Chip served on the HFHSCA BOD for many years, with a much-appreciated willingness to tackle issues related to fund development. He was willing and able to navigate complicated grant applications, and to read long documents about "best practices" on fund raising.
When the Fund Development sub-committee on which Chip served was to convene, meetings were often held at his home. Chip always offered delicious treats and bread to the other Committee members. At these meetings in Lodi, Chip's dog would sit in his lap and occasionally chime in with a yip as decisions were made.
Later, when Chip's health made it more difficult for him to get to Baraboo for full BOD meetings, he would call into the meeting from his home. We knew Chip was on the line when we would hear his beloved canine sidekick yip in the background!
Chip had a compassionate heart, a sharp mind, and a gentle soul. These characteristics explain his decision to support an organization like Habitat for Humanity of Sauk-Columbia Area. Despite physical issues that would have turned many people inward toward themselves, Chip looked outward toward the world - eager to find ways to make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate by putting a roof over their heads. Habitat for Humanity has a saying: We build homes.... hope... and community. Chip Durrie did exactly that himself, and HFHSCA is much the stronger because of his support for our organization, and we are honored that he designated HFHSCA as recipient for memorials.
Chip will live on in our hearts, and through the many families who benefitted from what he did through Habitat for Humanity. Thank you.
Memorials should be sent to: Habitat for Humanity of Sauk-Columbia Area PO Box 38 Baraboo, WI 53913