Timothy J. Dorn

Timothy Joel Dorn was born in Massachusetts on December 17, 1958 to Roy Dorn and Audrey Scofield. Tim grew up in Bayport, Minnesota on the St. Croix River. He spent many summers and some winters at his grandmother Ruth Dorn’s resort, Aqua Haven, which was near Inger, Minnesota.

Tim met Heidi Sontag at Augsburg College in Minneapolis in 1982. They married on June 17, 1989 near Lake Pepin. Their passion for adventure and exploring in nature took them to the Boundary Waters, Northeastern US (4 yrs), Alaska (2 yrs) and to their first home on the Rum River near Cambridge, MN for 10 years. When Gabe was 10 and Lucy Rae was 7, the family moved to Shekou, China in July of 2003.

Tim, or more fondly known to many as Mr. Dorn, obtained his MEd from Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts and became an elementary teacher. His career spanned three decades in four countries: US (15 yrs), China (6), Qatar (5) and Vietnam (7). Scores of children, families and coworkers loved and respected Mr Dorn. Tim was a gentle giant and calming presence in a buzzing classroom. He would softly sing to settle the young students and was ready with a punny joke to tell or a favorite book to read. He spoke in a way that children listened, offered each student his attention and fostered a love of learning through play.

Outside of teaching and traveling, Tim savored quiet and often solitary activities like being in nature, accompanied by his camera, bow or fishing rod. Tim loved taking photos and captured beauty in plants, flowers, birds, deer and landscapes as well as people in their element. When back in the US, Tim set up many campsites and invited nearby family and friends around the campfire. Tim enjoyed spending hours in the kitchen, fixing mechanical things and watching late night comedy and cooking shows. Tim also relished meeting new people. He would often strike up conversation, easily befriending neighbors or folks while traveling. He loved to go to the markets in China and Vietnam, getting to know the fruit and vegetable vendors while practicing the language. With old friends, Tim loved a good, long phone call.

More than anything, Tim loved his partner Heidi of over 40 years and he loved and nurtured their family. His love for cooking translated into a love language for caring for his family. As a dedicated father, Tim supported his children in many aspects of their lives. He was generous with warmth, humor and good food for his family and their friends.

Timothy passed away of natural causes on October 9, 2026. He was preceded in death by his mother Audrey, brother-in-law Patrick Cutler, cousin Aana Dorn, aunt Sali Dorn as well as by Alletta Jervey, David and Lucy Sontag, his in-laws.

Tim is survived by his wife Heidi Sontag, children Gabriel Dorn (Sammie Lewis) and Lucy Rae (Brandon) Campbell and grandchild Grey Campbell, as well as his father Roy Victor Dorn (96), siblings Elizabeth Dorn (Richard Skarie), Priscilla Dorn Cutler, and Jonathan (Janel) Dorn and nieces and nephews, Andreya Skarie (Cristian), Maribeth Menendez (Ryan), Shelby Cutler (Sam), Ryan Cutler (Tigish), Erin Cutler (Tom), and Jake (Katie) Walsh and grand nieces and nephews.

A memorial gathering will be held on New Years Day, January 1, 2027 at 11 am in the Terrace Social Room (5th floor) of Episcopal Homes, 502 East Lynnhurst Avenue, St. Paul, Minnesota.