Henry F. Doerge

Middleburgh: Dr. Henry F. Doerge, DVM, 83, longtime Middleburgh Veterinarian, passed away peacefully on March 26, 2017.   

Henry was born on October 19, 1933, in Queens, NY, the only child of Henry and Frieda (Schoppman) Doerge, both immigrants from Germany.

He graduated from Newtown High school in Elmhurst, NY and continued his education at Cornell School of Veterinary Medicine. Upon graduating in 1957, he stayed on for two more years as an instructor. From there he and his young family moved to Elmhurst where he worked for a veterinary clinic on Long Island. In 1961, as his family grew, he moved to Middleburgh, where he continued the large and small animal practice begun by Dr. Lincoln Field. He practiced his beloved profession at the Middleburgh Animal Hospital and Clinic for another 55 years, caring dearly for the treasured pets of his community.  

During that time he met and married the love of his life, Anne Alford, on July 29, 1973. Together they raised their beautifully blended family of six kids along with a menagerie of pets.  They enjoyed camping excursions, hosted numerous family gatherings, and travelled the world. Henry was also an avid gardener, puzzler, and antique car buff.  He was a longtime member of the Schoharie Valley Region of the Antique Automobile Club of America and coordinated the vendor field at the annual Antique Car Show for many years.  And it could not go without saying that he loved to passionately discuss the topics of the day, especially if it involved his community interests and commitments.

Henry took great pride in his community and was involved with many service organizations over the years. He was a former member of the Middleburgh Volunteer Fire Department and an MCS Board of Education member from 1967-72.  His two most cherished memberships were the Middleburgh Reformed Church and the Middleburgh Rotary Club.  Henry served as treasurer for both organizations for many years and brought his faith and service to others throughout his lifetime.

Along with his treasured wife, he is survived by his children: Allen Spencer, Daniel (Susan) Doerge, Chris (Jane) Doerge, Lane (Brenda) Spencer, Deborah (James) Sanger, and David Doerge; grandchildren include Jennifer (Jason) Burnett and their children Carter and Natalie, Daniel Doerge, Christine Doerge, Brandon (Dana) Like and their daughter Amelia, Christopher Like and fiancée Jenna, Stephanie Like, Nichole (Josh) Gallagher and their daughters Nora and Erin, Michelle Spencer, James Spencer, Patricia Sanger and fiancé Tyler, Thomas Sanger, Jessica Sanger, and Tristen Barnes.

A Celebration of Henry’s life will be held at 10:00 AM on Friday, March 31, 2017 at the Middleburgh Reformed Church, 178 River Street, Middleburgh with Pastor Jeffrey Kelley officiating. Private inurnment will be in the Middleburgh Cemetery.  Family and friends are also invited to a period of visitation to be held from 6-8PM on Thursday, March 30, 2017 at Coltrain Funeral Home, LLC, 134 River Street, Middleburgh.

Memorial contributions in Henry’s memory may be made to the Middleburgh Rotary Club, PO Box 1100, Middleburgh, NY 12122 or the Middleburgh Reformed Church, PO Box 112, Middleburgh, NY 12122.

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