Robert Victor Dommer

On Feb. 1, 1925 God blessed the Dommer family of Algoma, WI with the gift of a son, Robert Victor. He was baptized in infancy, was nurtured in faith and knowledge by his
Christian parents and the Lutheran parochial school, developing a love of music which
became the hallmark of his life.

During his college years at Northwestern College of Watertown, WI, Robert was the
director (and tuba player) of the student band, became organist and choir director at a
neighboring Lutheran congregation, and flourished in all things musical. Solid courses of
academics and Bible theology were taken in stride as Robert prepared for the Lutheran
ministry. In addition, he managed the college canteen and played a good game of tennis.
Robert graduated with the Bachelor of Arts Degree and enrolled in the Thiensville/Mequon
seminary of the Wisconsin Ev. Lutheran Synod.

Upon completing three years of theological studies, Robert graduated in 1951 and was
sent by the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) to serve a small mission
congregation in Opportunity, Washington (now part of Spokane Valley), which later became
Gethsemane Lutheran Church. He also served congregations in Salem, Oregon, and in
Tacoma, Portland, Seattle, Yakima, and Spokane, Washington. In 1957 he and the Spokane
Gethsemane congregation he was serving resigned from the Wisconsin Synod.

In the summer of 1959, the Immanuel Lutheran School Board of Mankato, Minnesota called
Robert from Washington to be the first principal for the newly established Immanuel
Lutheran High School. In 1963 the school and faculty relocated to Eau Claire, Wisconsin,
where Robert continued to serve as high school principal until 1985.

In addition to his administrative duties, Prof. Dommer spent nearly three decades
teaching at Immanuel Lutheran High School and College (ILC), until his official retirement in
1988. He is fondly remembered for his lively German, Music, Latin, and Church History
classes, to name a few. He was a skilled organist and organ teacher, and he directed
various other music groups such as the school's "pep band."

Dommer also served as the first director of the Immanuel Lutheran choir, establishing the
Tour Choir's long-standing tradition of traveling across the United States. Under his
leadership and devoted expertise, the choir produced many recordings over the years. One
beloved practice was to invite all choir alumni to "come up front" at the end of the concerts
and join in singing Cantate Domino, The Benediction, and later, Christ is Our
Cornerstone.

Following his retirement from full-time teaching (1988), Robert continued to build and
repair church organs. In 2000 he returned to the pastoral ministry, serving St. Luke's
congregation of Stoddard and St. Mark's of Onalaska, WI. Pastor Dommer continued to
serve these congregations even after his 100th birthday.

Robert was truly a Renaissance man, known for his boundless enthusiasm and energy-
he was a devoted father, a multi-faceted musician, educator, linguist, vintner, gardener,
a congenial colleague and spirited friend who was good at cards and telling "punny" jokes.

Robert was preceded in death by his first wife Hazel, second wife Marion, and son
Richard; he is survived by his children Mary Mueller of Appleton WI, Susan (Jim) Hannah
of Michigan, Julie (Augustine) Ruiz of Michigan, Rachel (Tim) Brekken of Bloomer WI,
Tanya (Jeff) Sorchilla of Chippewa Falls WI, Rodrigo Dommer of South Carolina and
Roberto Dommer of Minnesota. He is also survived by 3 sister in laws, Lois Severson(Bob) of Sussex, WI., Felissa Zander of Stone Lake, WI., Kathleen(Jim) Statz of Waunakee,WI. Grandchildren, Great grandchildren and many friends.

On June 2 he passed away while hospitalized at Marshfield Medical Center in Eau
Claire, WI, at the age of 101 years, 5 months, and 1 day.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the 4th floor nurses who took care of dad in his last days. Also would like to thank Professor Paul Koch and his daughter Elizabeth Cutler for their amazing help with putting this obituary together!

The memorial service is scheduled for August 29, 2026,10:30 a.m. at St. Mark's
church in Onalaska, WI with Pastor E. Starkey officiating. Visitation one hour prior to service with a luncheon to follow. Stokes, Prock & Mundt Funeral Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements.