21
The War Cry | SEPTEMBER 2013
W
hile a trademark charisma and
playful smirk typically accompany
Robert Docter, it's a boundless
passion for service anchored in a love for Jesus
Christ that defi nes this lifetime Salvationist.
Bob Docter, a retired Sergeant�Major of the Pasadena Tabernacle
Corps, still remains active in several of The Salvation Army's ministries
as a bandsman, Sunday school teacher and editor--even at 85 years old.
"People need to know there's still a lot to be done after 65," Bob said.
"You can keep on doing things for at least 20 more years."
Through 65 years of service, Bob's fearless leadership and ambition
have left a signature imprint on The Salvation Army. Born as a twin
to Salvationists Lloyd and Violet Docter, Robert grew up immersed in
the Army's culture.
"I grew up in the Army. I had opportunities to see the quality of the
Army, its depth, its ethic."
At Los Angeles City College, he began working in radio with his
father, where he helped produce a radio segment for The Salvation Army.
Robert grew up around many Salvationists, none more impactful than
his own father. "He was a change agent and I think I inherited some of
his impulses."
After graduating from UCLA, he taught school for one month before
being drafted into the Korean War. In 1954, he began pursuing his Masters
degree in psychotherapy (and eventually went on to earn a Ph.D), still intent
on being heavily involved with The Salvation Army.
Bob landed his fi rst major Salvation Army gig running a Sunday school
in Phoenix, where he met Mary, the girl he would marry. From there, his
involvement with Salvation Army ministries took fl ight, most notably with
his work in Pasadena.
It was there that he began his 40�year stint as Sergeant�Major for the
Pasadena Tabernacle Corps. He developed a deep relationship with the
community and led the corps through multiple corps offi cers and changes
in location, while still maintaining its strong core. When Docter wants to
implement positive change, he doesn't waste time.
W E S T
Sergeant-Major Robert Docter � The Teacher
Living Out the
Salvation Army Ethic
by
JARED McKIERNAN
Dissatisfi ed with
the communication
between the territory,
divisions and corps,
he decided to take
matters into his own
hands. In 1982, he
and then Western
Territorial Commissioner William
Pratt spearheaded New Frontier,
The Salvation Army's fi rst territo-
rial newspaper, where he works as
editor�in�chief to this day. Docter
has since helped launch two more
territorial publications--Caring
and Vida.
Many wonder when the Salva-
tionist, husband and father of six��
not to mention quick�witted psy-
chology professor at Cal State
Northridge��fi nds time to slow
down. Bob has never held a conven-
tional nine�to�fi ve job, yet he's
always worked some combination of
roles, making an impact in any and
every way that he can. For now, he's
still carving out his legacy--in
heroic fashion, of course.
"You have to have balance. You
have to build principles to guide
your life, to which you're loyal.
Being a Salvationist is a big part
of who I am."
Jared McKiernan is an Editorial Assistant
for New Frontier Publications in the
Western Territory.
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