John Walter Doser Jr.

Madison - John Walter Doser, Jr., age 78, passed away Friday, October 29, 2021. John was born March 26, 1943, in Dubuque, Iowa to John and Lorena (Gehrke) Doser. His family, including two younger sisters, Kathleen and Virginia, lived in Potosi, Wisconsin until moving to Long Beach, California in 1953.
John would return to Wisconsin for college, receiving both his BA '67 and MA '75 degrees from the University of Wisconsin at La Crosse.
Interested in teaching, John spent his career in the Stoughton Area School District teaching social studies, first in middle school, ultimately finding his home at Stoughton High School. He was a dedicated and innovative teacher who left a lasting impression on many of his students. In one case, after finishing Upton Sinclair's The Jungle, his students asked if they could tour a meat packing facility. He called Oscar Mayer and set it up. True to John, he considered going the extra mile for his students a normal part of his job. He retired after 33 years of teaching, noting that if the number 33 was good enough for Larry Bird, it was good enough for him.
John was a true sports fan. He spent 33 years officiating basketball and football games with the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association. He jokingly commented that football was his favorite sport to referee, as the fans were farther away when they didn't agree with your ruling.
An avid golfer, John would spend much of his time on the fairways. While retired he regularly traveled to Alabama to enjoy a month of golf away from the winter cold.
Raised Catholic, John deeply valued his faith, volunteering at St. Patrick's in Madison, as well as the St. Vincent de Paul Society. His faith was a continued foundation of strength and peace for him throughout his life.
John will be remembered for his quick, irreverent sense of humor, generous heart, tremendous strength of courage, and his above and beyond approach to teaching. In regards to his life, John remarked that he hoped he touched some people; that maybe he did some good with his teaching. He did just that.
John is survived by his sister, Kathleen, niece Jenna, along with other relatives and friends. He is deeply missed.
No public services will be held per John's wishes. Inurnment will be at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery.

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