Arlington Heights man remembered for contributions to Harper
One of the principal founders of Harper College's Lifelong Learning Institute, and its most ardent supporter, has passed away.
Charles Doering was among eight suburban residents who met to design the institute and its series of mini-courses offered to adults ages 55 and older. But it was he who pitched the idea to the former president of Harper College, Robert Breuder.
"He had such a persistent way, when he saw something that was good for the community," says another of the founders, Jack Wielde of Arlington Heights.
Mr. Doering passed away Thursday of complications related to Parkinson's disease. The Arlington Heights resident was 78.
Harper's Lifelong Learning Institute opened in 2003, drawing 60 adults. This spring session there are 285 people enrolled, selecting from its Professor series, Peer-Led courses, architectural tours, the Healthy Living Exercise Program, and Saturday series.
The classes range from one-day events, to some that run once a week for as long as six weeks. They take place at Harper and satellite sites, which Mr. Doering himself recruited.
The satellite sites serve as partners in the program, officials say. They include: Addolorata Villa and the Wheeling Park District, both in Wheeling; the Arlington Heights Senior Center and Our Savior's Lutheran Church, both in Arlington Heights; the Buffalo Grove Park District, Friendship Village in Schaumburg, the Garlands in Barrington and the Palatine Township Senior Center.
Colleagues say the wide-ranging course selection, as well as the number of courses taught by Harper's professors, reflected Mr. Doering's many interests and lifelong pursuit of learning.
"There are lifelong learning institutes across the country, and each one is a little different," says Kathleen Swan, administrator. "Ours includes more courses taught by professors than others, but that's because (Mr. Doering) felt we should use the resources we had right here at Harper."
Mr. Doering made his first career in labor and industrial relations, retiring in 1985 from Navistar International as international vice president for human resources. One year later, he returned to his alma mater, the University of Illinois in Champaign, to work in development.
He began as assistant dean for development in the College of Engineering before becoming director of gift development for the University of Illinois Foundation.
"That was so satisfying for him, to be able to return to the University of Illinois," says his wife, Norma, a former teacher at Olive Mary-Stitt School in Arlington Heights and Winkelman School in Glenview.
Besides his wife, Mr. Doering is survived by his children Beth (Larry) Obrock of Atlanta, GA and Michael (Nanette Gladbach) Doering of Mechanicsburg, PA; as well as four grandchildren.
Visitation will begin at 11 a.m. before a 12:30 p.m. funeral, both on Saturday, at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, 1234 N. Arlington Heights Road in Arlington Heights.