Lloyd “Dobie” Dobratz, 96, of Mesa, AZ, passed away on May 6, 2021.
Lloyd was born in 1924 in Redfield, SD. He was a member of the 1942 SD State “B” Basketball Champs team. After graduating high school in 1942, he enrolled at Augustana College, completed his freshman year and then enlisted as an Army paratrooper. Lloyd served in the Battle of the Bulge, was later captured and was held as a POW in a German stalag. In 1945, he was liberated and was returned to an Iowa hospital to recover from his injuries. His nurse, Helen “Penny” Eckrich, would later become his wife.
In 1946, Lloyd returned to Augustana College and completed his degree in 1949. He and Penny were married June 12, 1949, in Missouri Valley, IA. Lloyd and Penny moved to MN where Lloyd completed his master’s degree from the University of Minnesota. After returning to SD, Lloyd was appointed principal and coach at Platte, SD for five years. Lloyd spent the next 30+ years working in the Sioux Falls school district where he was a coach, teacher, school counselor, and district athletic coordinator. Lloyd was coach of the Sioux Falls Washington High School 1965 SD State “A” Basketball Champs team. Lloyd served as principal of Sioux Falls Lincoln High school from 1967-1974. Lloyd will be inducted into the LHS Hall of Fame in September 2021.
Lloyd is a member of the SDHS Coaches Hall of Fame; member of the Augustana College Athletic Hall of Fame and was a 31-year member of the Board of Directors of the Howard Wood Dakota Relays. Many former teachers, students and athletes contacted Dobie over the years to express their appreciation of his guidance and mentorship.
After retiring, Lloyd and Penny moved to Mesa, AZ, and enjoyed many years of friends and family gatherings.
Lloyd died of natural causes surrounded by his loving family who will miss his quick wit, kindness and love for them. Lloyd is preceded in death by his father, mother, and two brothers.
Grateful for sharing his life is his wife, Penny; daughter, Pat Dobratz (Jeff Fletcher), San Diego, CA; son, Terry (Joni), Mesa, AZ; granddaughters, Kelsey Berry (Jon), and Carly Dobratz; and four great-granddaughters, Kenzie, Kenna, Oakley, and Waylon.
Mountain View Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements; interment will be at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, Phoenix, AZ.
Dear Family–
Our sincere sympathy. Dobie was quite a man–coach, teacher and administrator. He was strong, fair and such a decent person. My Mom subbed for him at WSHS–and I was hired in the SFSD under his guidance. We mourn his passing—but, rejoice in his life. Our thoughts and prayers–
Jeff Herbert
To.The Entire Dear Family. Of Lloyd Dobratz. Im very very sorry for.your loss. Mr.Dobratz worked at Lincoln High School.while I was a student there from.1976 – 1978..And he was always very friendly and very nice. He knew my late Dear Dad Dr.H.C.Rus Rustad and attended my Dear Dads funeral in Scottsdale Arizona and talked to me as I will never forget his kind words .Mr.Dobratz will always be in my prayers and thoughts.All.of you are in my prayers and thoughts
.He will always be Remembered and He will.never be Forgotten..Take Care and God Bless You All. Love Barb Rustad.Taing oldest daughter of Dr.H.C.Rus Rustad.
Dear Pat, Terry and your families,
On occasion, God creates a special person and then breaks the mold. That is certainly the case with your father and your mother would be right there with him.
Quite simply, your dad changed my life forever! I am sure you will hear that thought repeatedly, because that is who your dad was. He took a chance on rookie teacher and then taught me how to be a professional educator. He talked to me, encouraged me, empowered me and then trusted me. His influence walked with me every day as a teacher, school principal, district administrator, and ultimately a college professor.
He also taught me a thing or two about discipline! When his eyes flashed, it was best to be quiet and listen! He could be tough but always fair. He expected maximum effort in our professional and personal life.
I will forever be grateful for Dobie. He changed the life of countless students and staff. I was so fortunate to be one of them.
Our prayers are with you and your families as you celebrate a life well lived.
I have such fond memories of both of you and I have tried to follow your careers since leaving Sioux Falls.
Blessings and peace,
Bob Kiner
I just came across Mr Dobratz’s obituary as I am writing a story about my life. The story moderator asked for my favorite subject in high school, and I replied that the US History class taught by Mr Dobratz was my all time favorite (I was in his class at WSHS 60 years ago). I was sorry to hear of his passing, but am honored to have been educated by one of the best teacher and person I have ever met. Thank you Mr Dobratz!
I’m not exactly sure what years that I studied under Coach Dobratz, but it had to be between 49 and 53. He was my coach and history teacher. We knew that he had been a POW, but I don’t remember him talking about it. He was a fine man.
I don’t remember exactly which year I had Coach Dobratz for a coach and history teacher, but it was between 49 and 53. We knew that he had been a POW but he never talked about it. Coach Dobratz was a fine man and a great teacher.