francis paul doering

On May 10, 2021, Francis Paul Doering died of a massive heart attack at home in Crystal River, Florida after a great day on the golf course.

Born on December 17, 1951 to Herman and Lucille Doering in Duluth, Minnesota, he was the sixth of eight children. His youth was spent in the West End with his brothers, sisters, cousins, and friends getting into mischief. He attended grade school at St. Jean-Baptiste Catholic School, Cathedral High School in ninth grade and graduated from Denfeld Senior High School in 1970. He was always well-loved among his peers as President of the Boys’ Club, and served on Student Council while playing both hockey and football. He thrived and made lifelong friendships which he cherished. 

As the official roadie for music group Sound Inc., Fran began his decades of work in the music scene both locally and nationally. He eventually joined Stagehands Local 32 and treasured the memories made with friends working for James Taylor, Charlie Daniels, Prince, The Rolling Stones, Willie Nelson, and dozens of other legendary musicians. From security to stage production, lights and sound, Fran did it all. He was honored as the first inductee in 2016 in the Rock and Roll Roadie Hall of Fame.

At the age of seven, his dad taught him and his brothers how to drive a forklift and about industrial operations at the Seaway Port Authority, which planted a seed for his 34 years as a crane and heavy equipment operator and respected brother in the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 49. He began with building trades construction, refinery work, and finally wind turbine erection on the Big Island of Hawaii. Fran worked for the benefit of the members of each brotherhood with pride and connection; he served on the Local 49 Executive Board. When he retired on June 5, 2010 after 34 years in the union, he proudly spent 11 years, "livin' the dream." 

In cut-off denim, a ringer tee, and a ten-gallon hat, Fran met his match in Sue Torgerson in 1974.  Seven years later on a rainy June 13, 1981 in Aitkin, Minnesota, they said “I Do” between cracks of thunder and lightning with the vow of eternal love. Together they entered many running races under their aliases Eric and Erica, travelled, and worked before growing their family. Fran took great pride in everything he worked for and owned so they could retire and move to a sunny climate, where they made friends with everyone they met, continuing to visit estate sales, garden, kayak, and golf regularly at their course, The Plantation Resort & Golf Club.

As a family with their daughters, Ali & Hana, they spent time boating and camping, rollerblading and biking along the boardwalk, traveling to sunny destinations where Fran could golf and the girls could shop. He loved to share jokes with his granddaughter, Audrey, and help her learn to drive the golf cart, which she was finally able to do independently on the last trip to Florida in April. He loved to bond with his daughter-in-law, Shan, over projects at the farm and rounds of golf. The girls have many interests and apprecaiation for music inspired by their Dad's varied factions of life. 

Fran lived a full life in his almost 70 years, always working to stay connected with his union brothers and help younger generations find fulfillment in the trades. He spent many years playing in Norman’s softball and pool league, eventually moving along to Toxic Tuesday at Nemadji Golf Course and dominoes on Thursday nights. In Crystal River, he cherished making connections with the Yoopers and everyone at The Plantation Clubhouse. He was an avid sports fan, word-searcher, cook, and all around great guy. “My Guy”, as Sue would say. His memory will live on through the telling of his stories, of which there are many; his one-liners, consistently taught lessons and spurred humor!

He is survived by his loving wife Susan, his daughters Alison (Shanley Anderson) and Hana, granddaughter, Audrey, as well as brothers Louie (Jill), Michael (Pat), Norbert (Tina), and sisters Sandy (Steve) Broughten, Judy (Bob) Johnston, and Margaret (Jim) DeBoer and numerous nieces and nephews. 

He is preceded in death by his parents Herman and Lucille, his step-father Murdock McLeod, a brother James, and cousins, Mick Jackson and Susie Kultgen (Jackson). 

There will be a Celebration of Life on July 22nd, 2021 at Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC), in the Harborside Ballroom. Doors will open for visiting and stories at 3pm, Celebration at 4pm with an additional hour of gathering immediately following the service. For additional information please see the Celebration of Life page. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials will be given to the Local 49 Training Center Scholarship Fund in Hinckley, MN and the start-up chapter of PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere), a golf school for disabled veterans, in Crystal, River, FL.