ROOT, JR., DOUGLASS E. Douglass Emerson Root, Jr., 85, died Sunday after a long illness, surrounded by his
family.
Douglass was born to Douglass E. Root, Sr. and
Winifred Felt Root on November 20, 1921, in Birmingham, AL. He was raised in New Rochelle, NY, and attended Peddie Preparatory School in NJ, graduating in 1939 at the top of his class. After a year at Dartmouth, he studied Chemical Engineering at M.I.T. and was a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity.
He married Martha Sanderson in 1943. Prior to graduation, he was called to active duty during World War II. He served in the South Pacific, as a Mortar Fire Direction Officer and later as part of the occupation force that demilitarized Japan. He was awarded numerous commendations and battle stars during his service, and his fire direction activities during a key battle of the war were the subject of a nationally broadcast Army Hour program.
After the war he graduated from M.I.T. in 1947, then moved to Orlando and established a successful business rebuilding and reselling automobiles. He also built solar water heaters and became a nationally recognized lecturer and author in the solar energy field. During the '70s and '80s, he was a solar energy consultant/educator for the Florida Solar Energy Center and numerous state/national organizations. He was inducted into the Florida Solar Industry's Hall of Fame in 1990.
He was the first president of the Orlando Used Car Dealers Association and served on the Orlando Traffic Commission and the Boards of Directors for Central Florida Sheltered Workshop and Quest, Inc., an organization that provides services for mentally-challenged citizens.
For 20 years he served on the panel of Central Florida Showcase, a Channel 6 television show which discussed important issues of the time with key public and political figures/guests. Other civic contributions included leadership roles for the March of Dimes and Optimist Club, and many years of volunteer work for the Environmental Information Center and Quest. His work with Quest earned him many awards including the Penney's Golden Rule Award, the Quite Extraordinary Award of 1998, and a Presidential Service Award.
During this time, Doug and Martha made their home in the College Park area and raised their children. During his later years, Doug cared for his wife through a long illness. His dedication to her, and hers to him, during their 66 years together was an inspiration to their family, and provided an enduring example of true commitment, caring and courage.
Doug was predeceased by his wife, and is survived by their five children, Elizabeth Ann Warfield of Tucson, AZ; Douglass Sanderson Root (Jacque) of St. Petersburg, FL; JoAnn Olson (Craig) of Jacksonville, FL; Barbara Ann Root of Apopka, FL; and Martha Ann Zimmerman of Jacksonville, FL. He is also survived by nine grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and many nephews and nieces.
Published in the Orlando Sentinel on 10/30/2007.
family.
Douglass was born to Douglass E. Root, Sr. and
Winifred Felt Root on November 20, 1921, in Birmingham, AL. He was raised in New Rochelle, NY, and attended Peddie Preparatory School in NJ, graduating in 1939 at the top of his class. After a year at Dartmouth, he studied Chemical Engineering at M.I.T. and was a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity.
He married Martha Sanderson in 1943. Prior to graduation, he was called to active duty during World War II. He served in the South Pacific, as a Mortar Fire Direction Officer and later as part of the occupation force that demilitarized Japan. He was awarded numerous commendations and battle stars during his service, and his fire direction activities during a key battle of the war were the subject of a nationally broadcast Army Hour program.
After the war he graduated from M.I.T. in 1947, then moved to Orlando and established a successful business rebuilding and reselling automobiles. He also built solar water heaters and became a nationally recognized lecturer and author in the solar energy field. During the '70s and '80s, he was a solar energy consultant/educator for the Florida Solar Energy Center and numerous state/national organizations. He was inducted into the Florida Solar Industry's Hall of Fame in 1990.
He was the first president of the Orlando Used Car Dealers Association and served on the Orlando Traffic Commission and the Boards of Directors for Central Florida Sheltered Workshop and Quest, Inc., an organization that provides services for mentally-challenged citizens.
For 20 years he served on the panel of Central Florida Showcase, a Channel 6 television show which discussed important issues of the time with key public and political figures/guests. Other civic contributions included leadership roles for the March of Dimes and Optimist Club, and many years of volunteer work for the Environmental Information Center and Quest. His work with Quest earned him many awards including the Penney's Golden Rule Award, the Quite Extraordinary Award of 1998, and a Presidential Service Award.
During this time, Doug and Martha made their home in the College Park area and raised their children. During his later years, Doug cared for his wife through a long illness. His dedication to her, and hers to him, during their 66 years together was an inspiration to their family, and provided an enduring example of true commitment, caring and courage.
Doug was predeceased by his wife, and is survived by their five children, Elizabeth Ann Warfield of Tucson, AZ; Douglass Sanderson Root (Jacque) of St. Petersburg, FL; JoAnn Olson (Craig) of Jacksonville, FL; Barbara Ann Root of Apopka, FL; and Martha Ann Zimmerman of Jacksonville, FL. He is also survived by nine grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and many nephews and nieces.
Published in the Orlando Sentinel on 10/30/2007.
ROOT, JR., DOUGLASS E. Douglass Emerson Root, Jr., 85, died Sunday after a long illness, surrounded by his
family.
Douglass was born to Douglass E. Root, Sr. and
Winifred Felt Root on November 20, 1921, in Birmingham, AL. He was raised in New Rochelle, NY, and attended Peddie Preparatory School in NJ, graduating in 1939 at the top of his class. After a year at Dartmouth, he studied Chemical Engineering at M.I.T. and was a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity.
He married Martha Sanderson in 1943. Prior to graduation, he was called to active duty during World War II. He served in the South Pacific, as a Mortar Fire Direction Officer and later as part of the occupation force that demilitarized Japan. He was awarded numerous commendations and battle stars during his service, and his fire direction activities during a key battle of the war were the subject of a nationally broadcast Army Hour program.
After the war he graduated from M.I.T. in 1947, then moved to Orlando and established a successful business rebuilding and reselling automobiles. He also built solar water heaters and became a nationally recognized lecturer and author in the solar energy field. During the '70s and '80s, he was a solar energy consultant/educator for the Florida Solar Energy Center and numerous state/national organizations. He was inducted into the Florida Solar Industry's Hall of Fame in 1990.
He was the first president of the Orlando Used Car Dealers Association and served on the Orlando Traffic Commission and the Boards of Directors for Central Florida Sheltered Workshop and Quest, Inc., an organization that provides services for mentally-challenged citizens.
For 20 years he served on the panel of Central Florida Showcase, a Channel 6 television show which discussed important issues of the time with key public and political figures/guests. Other civic contributions included leadership roles for the March of Dimes and Optimist Club, and many years of volunteer work for the Environmental Information Center and Quest. His work with Quest earned him many awards including the Penney's Golden Rule Award, the Quite Extraordinary Award of 1998, and a Presidential Service Award.
During this time, Doug and Martha made their home in the College Park area and raised their children. During his later years, Doug cared for his wife through a long illness. His dedication to her, and hers to him, during their 66 years together was an inspiration to their family, and provided an enduring example of true commitment, caring and courage.
Doug was predeceased by his wife, and is survived by their five children, Elizabeth Ann Warfield of Tucson, AZ; Douglass Sanderson Root (Jacque) of St. Petersburg, FL; JoAnn Olson (Craig) of Jacksonville, FL; Barbara Ann Root of Apopka, FL; and Martha Ann Zimmerman of Jacksonville, FL. He is also survived by nine grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and many nephews and nieces.
Published in the Orlando Sentinel on 10/30/2007.
family.
Douglass was born to Douglass E. Root, Sr. and
Winifred Felt Root on November 20, 1921, in Birmingham, AL. He was raised in New Rochelle, NY, and attended Peddie Preparatory School in NJ, graduating in 1939 at the top of his class. After a year at Dartmouth, he studied Chemical Engineering at M.I.T. and was a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity.
He married Martha Sanderson in 1943. Prior to graduation, he was called to active duty during World War II. He served in the South Pacific, as a Mortar Fire Direction Officer and later as part of the occupation force that demilitarized Japan. He was awarded numerous commendations and battle stars during his service, and his fire direction activities during a key battle of the war were the subject of a nationally broadcast Army Hour program.
After the war he graduated from M.I.T. in 1947, then moved to Orlando and established a successful business rebuilding and reselling automobiles. He also built solar water heaters and became a nationally recognized lecturer and author in the solar energy field. During the '70s and '80s, he was a solar energy consultant/educator for the Florida Solar Energy Center and numerous state/national organizations. He was inducted into the Florida Solar Industry's Hall of Fame in 1990.
He was the first president of the Orlando Used Car Dealers Association and served on the Orlando Traffic Commission and the Boards of Directors for Central Florida Sheltered Workshop and Quest, Inc., an organization that provides services for mentally-challenged citizens.
For 20 years he served on the panel of Central Florida Showcase, a Channel 6 television show which discussed important issues of the time with key public and political figures/guests. Other civic contributions included leadership roles for the March of Dimes and Optimist Club, and many years of volunteer work for the Environmental Information Center and Quest. His work with Quest earned him many awards including the Penney's Golden Rule Award, the Quite Extraordinary Award of 1998, and a Presidential Service Award.
During this time, Doug and Martha made their home in the College Park area and raised their children. During his later years, Doug cared for his wife through a long illness. His dedication to her, and hers to him, during their 66 years together was an inspiration to their family, and provided an enduring example of true commitment, caring and courage.
Doug was predeceased by his wife, and is survived by their five children, Elizabeth Ann Warfield of Tucson, AZ; Douglass Sanderson Root (Jacque) of St. Petersburg, FL; JoAnn Olson (Craig) of Jacksonville, FL; Barbara Ann Root of Apopka, FL; and Martha Ann Zimmerman of Jacksonville, FL. He is also survived by nine grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and many nephews and nieces.
Published in the Orlando Sentinel on 10/30/2007.
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