Tom Dobberteen, 61

Thomas Scott “Dobb” Dobberteen, age 61, of Sturgis. The “Alpha-1” disease and hard fought journey of 21 years ended peacefully for Mr. Thomas S. Dobberteen at his home on Friday, Jan. 27, 2017.
Thomas was born March 19, 1955, in Sturgis, the son of the late William and Shirley (Geil) Dobberteen.
Tom was a lifelong Sturgis resident and graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1973. While a student at Sturgis High School, Tom excelled in athletics, especially football and wrestling, and has recently been nominated for induction into the SHS Hall of Fame. His senior year he earned a third place ranking in the state wrestling tournament. He furthered his education at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo where he was a member of the wrestling team.
On July 23, 1993, he married Caryn Hice of Sturgis.
Following in his father’s footsteps he and his brother John, became “Master Plumbers”, and co-owned Dobberteen Plumbing along with their father, Bill Dobberteen. Eventually owning and operating “Dobbs” Plumbing in later years. He also was a deep sea tender, diver and made many dives in the Gulf of Mexico and the North Sea, sometimes residing at sea for six months at a time. During his diving days he was living in New Orleans.
Tom was an avid kayaker and enjoyed several trips to the Boundary Waters in Northern Minnesota. He enjoyed many camping/kayaking trips with his close friends on the St. Joe River along with trail riding. He also cheered on the Detroit Red Wings and watched many hockey games in his man-cave. He was a very talented stained glass artist and loved time at his “Cozy Little Cottage on a MI lake with Birds.”
He is survived by his spouse, friend and caregiver of 24 years, Caryn “Dobby”; two sons, William Louis Dobberteen II of Sturgis and Samuel Paul Dobberteen of Washington; grandchildren, Oliver and Kamaryn; step-mother, Marjorie Dobberteen of Sturgis; one sister, Nancy (Mike) Hagaman of Cypress, Texas; two brothers, John (Lynn) Dobberteen of Sturgis, and Bill (Barb) Dobberteen of West Olive and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Visitation will take place Wednesday, Feb. 1, from 4-7 p.m. at the Hackman Chapel of Hackman Family Funeral Homes, 114 S. Nottawa St., Sturgis, MI 49091, 269-651-2331. “The Final Farewell/Finale” will take place on Thursday, Feb. 2 beginning at 4 p.m. at the Rosenberg Chapel, 807 E. Chicago Rd. in Sturgis. In accordance with his wishes cremation will take place after the Finale.
Memorial Contributions may be made to the Alpha-1 Foundation, 3300 Ponce de Leon Blvd, Coral Gables, FL 33134 or Three Rivers Health Hospice, 633 S Erie St., Three Rivers, MI 49093.
The obituary is also at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhomes.com where personal messages of support may be left for the family.