Benjamin W. Dorr

Mr. Benjamin William Dorr, age 40, passed away Monday, April 22, 2019 surrounded by his family. He was born in Muskegon, MI on January 15, 1979 to Marjorie (Gasahl) Goosen and had been employed as a teacher at Marshall High School. Ben lived in Whitehall for his formative years (as he called them), and then his family moved to LaPorte, Indiana. Finding the place intolerable, his mother Marjorie left with her beloved children just a few years later (after earning her own degree in Library of Science from the University of Indiana). They returned to Whitehall where Ben found dear friends, strength in football, and a passion for music through the guitar. After graduating in 97, Ben headed off to Western Michigan University, where he proudly graduated with a BA from WMU in 2002 with a major in History Secondary Education and a minor in Social Studies. Ben then received his Masters Degree from WMU in Educational Leadership. Ben received teacher certification in Secondary History and Social Studies from the State of Michigan and was hired by Marshall Public Schools to teach World Cultures at the high school in January 2003. Ben spent his next years 16 and some change in Marshall, Michigan. Ben loved the history of Marshall and the entire state of Michigan, which he was happy to be able to teach both. Ben was a gifted teacher. He read, learned, breathed history. Ben was also so passionate about economics and government. Students continuously have commented that a great aspect of learning he brought to the classroom was daily news updates. As a student of history, Ben wanted his students to understand that history repeats itself, and he would engage them in lively discussions of that via news and through curriculum. As a teacher, Dorr was soft-spoken, kind, and always willing to lend an ear. During his tenure at Marshall High School Ben also felt privileged to coach student athletes as a football coach and a track coach. He was a part of the team that went to the state finals one year for football. One of his greatest memories was calling plays from the box in Detroit. He loved every one of his student athletes, and kept all the thank you letters, recommendation letters he wrote them, and their progress through high school and beyond. Ben Dorr was a great story teller, and a great friend. He was a kind person, never wanting to impose on anyone but always willing to lend a hand to help anyone who needed help. Ben was a talented musician, who loved singing and playing guitar. He appreciated movies that would teach him lessons, and any person who would, too. He was so gentle, and found the best in everyone. Ben Dorr is survived by his loving Mom, Marjorie (Rich) Goosen of Grand Rapids; sisters Allison Roberts of Lansing, Alicia (Kevin Kreps) Dorr of Kalamazoo; and several loving aunts, uncles & cousins. CELEBRATION OF LIFE Sunday, April 28, 2019, 2:00 PM 4:00 PM with a time of sharing at 3:00 PM at the Clock Funeral Home - Muskegon . In lieu of flowers please consider: Ascension Brighton Center for Recovery or Marshall Miracle A.A. Group. Please visit www.clockfuneralhome.com to leave a memory or sign the online guestbook. Clock Funeral Home - Muskegon