Born in Los Angeles on January 16, 1941, Louis Dorny graduated from Van Nuys High School and received both his Bachelor of Arts in German and Literature, minor in History and Master of Public Administration degrees from Brigham Young University. Known as a man of strong moral courage and deep compassion, Louis was faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He served a two year mission in Germany and remained committed in his faith throughout his life.

Louis Dorny was proud of his military service. Commissioned into the U.S. Navy through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Program, Louis completed the Defense Language Institute program studying Russian and served aboard attack submarines as the Naval Security Group Officer In Charge (OIC) on the USS Tautog (SSN 639), USS Snook (SSN 592), USS Swordfish (SSN 579), USS Queenfish (SSN 651), and USS Sculpin (SSN 590).

Tours included U.S. Atlantic Fleet (Norfolk, VA.), Submarine Group Seven (Yokosuka, Japan); and U.S. Pacific Fleet (Pearl Harbor, HI.). Commander Dorny was the recipient of several military honors, including a Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, two Meritorious Unit Commendations, Navy Expeditionary Medal for Special Submarine Operations, and a National Defense Medal.

After retirement from active duty service in the Navy, Louis settled in Kitsap County Washington, where he worked as a civil servant at the Naval Submarine Base Bangor and the Naval Undersea Warfare Engineering Station. He later served as Deputy Director of the Berlin Document Center for the U.S. State Department during the German Reunification. Louis’ specialty interests included genealogy, Germanic languages and naval history. He authored numerous publications and articles for the military community.

Louis Dorny was married to the former Bente Loe Hansen for 28 years and divorced. Their marriage produced seven children and fifteen grandchildren, all of whom he loved deeply and considered to be his most important legacy. Louis always had time for a conversation, although he often quipped “we have to be in Singapore by 3:30” to gently prod the conversation along.

Louis was preceded in death by both parents and his two brothers, Walter Brough and W. Brough Dorny II.

He is survived by his sister Marsha (Bob) Vannah; his son Ammon (Deborah) Dorny; son Nathan (Patricia) Dorny; son Luke (Marlo); son Benjamin (Georgina); daughter Stina (Aaron) Brown, daughter Jessica (Calvin) Kemph; son Abram (Kimberly) and fourteen grandchildren, Ava Elizabeth, Senya Elle, Grace Elise, Juliann Lynae, Allison Rose, Torvin Erik, Aidan Cornel, Gwyneth Helena, Delaney Elisabeth, Yves Saint-Henri, Margaux Lucia, Annika Cannon, Margrethe Louisa, and Ezra Victoria. “Opa” brought a sense of adventure and an easy laugh to every endeavor. He will be greatly missed.

A local memorial service will be held in Seattle at the LDS chapel at 5701 8th Ave NE, Seattle, WA, 98105. Interment with full military honors will be in Tahoma National Cemetery.

For their dedicated service, the family would like to thank Dr. Kenneth Nguyen, the support staff and volunteers at Providence Hospice of Seattle, especially Kristine Kumangai and Madison Campell.

Louis loved the temple and believed in eternal families – in lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to either the 1) Temple Construction Fund The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or 2) the German and Russian Department Student Aid program at Brigham Young University. 

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