Robert "Bob" Doherty Jr.

Hillsboro, ND— Robert Emmett Doherty, Jr., 79, of Hillsboro, ND, died on Wednesday, September 30, 2020, at the Hillsboro Medical Center. Bob was born February 1, 1941, in Norfolk, Virginia, to Robert and Catherine Doherty. He grew up in Norfolk, Virginia and graduated from Norfolk Catholic High School in 1960. After high school, he enlisted in the Navy and worked on aircraft carriers. After being honorably discharged, he began working as a telephone lineman in Virginia. He moved to North Dakota and lived in Carrington, ND, for several years before moving to Hillsboro, ND in 1992 where he has lived ever since. After he retired from Qwest Communications, he worked part-time for the Goose River Golf Course and Casey’s General Store in Hillsboro. He married Elizabeth Abrahamson on November 5, 2005, in St. Michael, ND. Born from Irish and Italian parents, Bob loved cooking and was known for his made-from-scratch pasta sauce. He loved fishing and seafood. Bob was a life time member of VFW Post 4172. Right up until his death, Bob talked about “getting back to work.” He loved visiting with customers at Casey’s even if it was for only a few hours a day. If there was news around Hillsboro, Bob was the first to know. He was active in his grandsons’ lives attending T-Ball, flag football games, and Grandparent’s Day at school. He is survived by his wife, Liz; sister Diana Barnett of Cary, NC; daughter, Nancy Doherty and her daughter Lauren Healy of Oxford, NC; daughter Barbara Watson and her son Jerry Watson of Norfolk, VA; son, Matthew (Kristen) Doherty and their daughters Ava, Elyn, Olivia and Iris of Medina, MN; daughter, Seina Freidig, and her daughters Grace and Madelyn of West Fargo, ND; stepdaughter, Heather (Nick) Vinje and their sons Jack and Owen of Hunter, ND; many dear in-laws, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Connie Furey, two brother-in-law’s Cliff and Sonny Abrahamson, and his beloved dog Harry. The family would like to thank the staff at Hillsboro Medical Center for their care and support. A family burial service will be held at St. Michael Catholic Cemetery in St. Michael, North Dakota. A military salute will be held at 5:00pm at the Vet’s Club in Hillsboro, ND on Saturday, October 3, 2020, with a celebration of life to follow from 5:00pm to 7:00pm also at the Vet’s Club.