University Mourns Distinguished Alum Steve Doran '79

Dec. 4, 2018

Steve Doran, a class of 1979 graduate and longtime supporter of Illinois Wesleyan University, died Dec. 3, 2018, in Haiti. He was 61.

Dr. Doran was an oral surgeon who practiced at Doran, Capodice, Efaw and Ochletree LLC, in Bloomington, Illinois. He was active in the Illinois State Dental Society and participated twice a year in free extraction clinics. In 2011, he received the organization’s President’s Award for outstanding contributions to the profession.

Doran was passionate about service and volunteerism. He participated in several oral surgery mission trips to Haiti and Honduras, and was serving on a mission trip in Haiti at the time of his death.

He presented a “Back to College Class” at Illinois Wesleyan’s 2018 Homecoming in which he detailed Haiti’s history and discussed the unique challenges and rewarding experiences of his work in the communities there.

In October 2018, Doran was honored at Homecoming as Illinois Wesleyan’s Distinguished Alumnus Award winner. In his acceptance speech, he stated, “There is no award for which I am eligible that would mean more to me than to be the Distinguished Alumnus of Illinois Wesleyan University.”

Doran was also an active member on the board of John Scott Health Services. He was a proud member of Sigma Chi and former board member of the Illinois Wesleyan Associates.

He is survived by his wife Joy Doran, a retired IWU piano instructor, and three daughters: Molly (Andrew ’06) Hesse ’07, Mary Flynn Doran and Anna Doran.

The family plans a gathering in Steve's honor on Sunday, Dec. 16 at the Memorial Center. See details in his obituary.

By Matt Wing