Mostly Clear, 56° F
(Dec. 19, 2003)
Bob Dohse, long-time Cody area resident, died Friday, Dec. 19 at West Park Long Term Care Center in Cody.
He was born in Sioux City, Iowa, on Oct. 25, 1921. As a young man, he lived in Battle Mountain, Nev., and worked at the McCoy Mine. He later joined the U.S. Navy and was a veteran of World War II. He married May R. Kewen, and they had a daughter, Leslie.
He retired as Chief Petty Officer after 20 years of service and moved to Cody, where he met and married Ruth Johnson Cornett and lived on the North Fork at their home "up the river" until the past three years.
He was a cattle rancher at heart, an outfitter and also a successful businessman. In his career, he owned the Irma Hotel, which he worked hard to restore and designate as a Registered National Historic Place. His other ventures included the Green Gables Pancake House, Four Winds Supper Club, Eagle Valley Inn and Wapiti Valley Inn.
He served as an active member and past president of the Cody Chamber of Commerce and the Wyoming Hotel and Motel Association.
Having traveled the world over and being an international wild sheep hunter, he is ranked Number 17 in the world for his Super Slam and other trophy sheep he hunted. He was a member of the VFW, the Masonic Lodge, the Kefar Shrine and a longtime member of Eastern Star.
His greatest loves and enjoyment came from his family, extended family of friends and his cattle.
Survivors include his devoted wife, Ruth; loving daughter Leslie Dohse (Gary Brown); stepsons, Thomas Cornett (Margo) and Michael Cornett (Jill Hensley); his sister, Betty Sue Jennings; and brother, Richard (Bill) Dohse; 11 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews and other family members.
He was preceded in death by his father, Claus Dohse; mother, Clara Parfett; and stepson, David Cornett.
Cremation has taken place. A celebration of his life was held Tuesday, Dec. 23 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Irma Hotel.
Memorial services will take place July 3, 2004, at the Red Pole Ranch (the first place he owned in Wyoming) at 3 p.m. For those who wish, memorial donations to the Kefar Shrine at 2238 Rumsey, Cody, WY 82414 would be appreciated by the family.
