Douglas Golding Dwyre Jr. was born an Army brat in Schofield Barracks, HI, on Nov 23, 1932, the son of Douglas G. Dwyre ’29 and Eleanor deHarne Dwyre. He recalled the military experiences and influence of his mother Eleanor as being important in his ability to not only cope, but to flourish in the vagabond life of a military child. Doug attended 20 different schools before graduating from high school as valedictorian in Heidelberg, Germany. During those years the family was blessed with four more boys: Michael, Charles, Terrence, and Rodney.
Doug entered West Point at 17, Class of 1954, and continued to excel in whatever he did. He was at or near the top of every course and graduated in the top 3 percent of his class with a position as brigade sergeant major. He starred in water polo and was his company’s ‘honor rep’ as well as being part of several other cadet organizations. At graduation he entered the Air Force and became a jet fighter pilot instructor spending time in Florida and Mississippi, where he was frequently commended for outstanding performance. He resigned from the Air Force in 1957, to enter a Jesuit seminary; however, after nearly a year, he decided to leave.
In 1958, he married Pauline Serullo, and began his long career in California with Lockheed Missiles & Space Company, then to Ford Aerospace in 1962 joining their new spacecraft business. He moved up the management ladder quickly, eventually heading three different aerospace operations involved in weather and communications satellite programs through 1981. During those years Doug managed to earn an MS degree from Stanford University and an MBA from Santa Clara University. Their family grew by six children: David, Diana, Denis, Debbie, Doug P., and Derek.
In 1981 he moved the family to Ohio to accept the challenge of a management position at Cincinnati Electronics, a struggling part of the British firm Marconi. Within three years he turned the business around, and in 1985 his efforts earned him the position of President and CEO of Cincinnati Electronics, the first such position ever held by an American in this British company, and he moved the entire family to England to live.
Doug turned his attention to another opportunity in 1988, forming and leading a new division of the British company STC Submarine Systems in Portland, OR. He directed the impressive growth of the organization, which established new production and quality records in fiber optics ocean cable systems.
In 1992, Doug married Susan Hart. He left STC, moving to Washington, DC, to work with the Federal Trade Commission and numerous satellite communications contractors as founding president of Globalstar, a world-wide satellite communications company. This led to the creation, concept development, licensing, financing, and stock market introduction of this company, taking it all the way into successful operational service. Doug remained with Globalstar back in California until February 1999, when he retired.
After Doug’s retirement he and Susan moved to Camas, WA, to begin the next phase of their life together. Retirement was a busy and happy time in Doug’s life with continued involvement in favorite activities, more time with Susan, their friends, and family. He was an avid reader his entire life—non-fiction, history, biographies, and his most favorite, The Economist magazine. He read and studied throughout his life. He loved to learn, constantly seeking ways to contribute both through personal and community activities; such as a mentor to others, working with Eagle Scouts, MIT grad students, and volunteering for civic and local university activities. His calm, kind personality, very bright mind, and tireless efforts made him much sought after as a leader, board member, or participant on various projects. Becoming a licensed long-term care ombudsman for the State of Washington’s elderly, visiting nursing homes and working through issues with management, families, and residents brought him great satisfaction. His influence on others was widespread and lasting.
After years of world travel he particularly enjoyed the simpler life spending time with Susan, reading together. They both loved the Oregon coast, whale watching, walking and browsing the beach, tide pool exploring, and finding rocks for his rock polishing hobby. He enjoyed nature, liked to hike the woods, and worked at staying in good physical shape through discipline and exercise. Those characteristics remained during retirement until early signs of dementia and loss of physical and mental capabilities grew more serious. In 2009, he was placed in a care home.
It is all the more tragic that such a person as Doug could become afflicted in a way that changed him so dramatically and completely, suffering from both Parkinson’s and dementia diseases in his final years. Even then, in his lucid moments, he could be the same old Doug. As a private person he always remained devout in his faith in God. One of his last personal entries on a West Point information sheet was "Duty, Honor, Country continue to guide me." Those who really knew him well remember Doug for the tenderness of his heart, his fine mind, the depth of his integrity, and his vision.