BELOIT — Dr. Robert A. Dobratz, 96, was born at home on April 16, 1924, in Beloit, Kan., the son of Alexander and Barbara Blanche (Feser) Dobratz. He was a member of St. John’s Catholic Church in Beloit and graduated from St. John’s High School in 1941. He worked at Stack & Kerns Grocery, then volunteered for the U.S. Navy on Feb. 3, 1942. He served as a medic in the South Pacific and the Philippines for over two years and was discharged on Dec. 14, 1945. 

Robert entered pre-med studies in January 1946 at St. Louis University and graduated from the University of Kansas School of Medicine in June 1952. He opened a medical practice in Chetopa, Kan., and after three years joined a practice in Beloit. After several years at the clinic above S&S Drug Store, Dr. Dobratz, along with Dr. H.L. Collins and Dr. M.B. Klenda, established the Beloit Medical Center. He was also Mitchell County Coroner for many years. After major heart surgery, he retired in 1987. In addition to his medical service to the community, he served on the executive board of the Beloit Chamber of Commerce and was President of the Beloit Country Club. He was also President of the St. John’s Home and School Association and was a Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus.

He married Marilyn Jilka in Salina, Kan. on May 29, 1951 and celebrated 65 years of marriage together. She predeceased him in 2016. 

He is survived by six children: Steve II (Kim), of Great Bend, Kan.; Mickey (Susan), of Leawood, Kan.; Rose (Mike) Lott, of Topeka, Kan.; Carolyn (Jay) Ditsworth of Roanoke, Texas; Linda (Phil) Wedge of Lawrence, Kan.; Dr. David Dobratz (Wendy) of Olathe, Kan. He is also survived by 13 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren and 1 more coming soon,; one sister Ruth, Beaverton, Ore., and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his son Larry in 2013 and by three sisters: Elizabeth, Bar Harbor, Maine; Joan, Kingman, Ariz.; and Maurine, Glendale, Calif.

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Jan. 10, 2021