Andy Dorer

Andy and Loretta Dorer were also part of my parent’s circle of friends.  Loretta worked with my father at the PG&E.  I think she was fond of him for his kindness and virtues, as were several other ladies with whom I came in contact at the office.  I always considered Loretta as my father’s “office wife.”  She was the woman who looked out for my father and his best interests while at work.  I don’t exactly remember, but I think she also was a San Souci member.  Who wasn’t?

Andy was part of the greater Dorer family who had grown up in the mountains east of Forest Hill.   I went to school with one of Andy’s nephews, Jimmy Dorer.

Like Fred Lapp, Andy was a hunter and fisher who could talk the trout into his fishing basket.  He had different jobs when I was growing up, but most of the time he worked as a clerk in a liquor store.

My father liked to fish, even though he didn’t have much talent.  The story that I remember best is going fishing with Andy up at his family home in a canyon called Humbug, northeast of Forest Hill on the middle fork of the American River.  There isn’t much to tell about this trip except that Andy caught a lot of fish and my father and I didn’t.  I do remember Andy stomping on the front porch to wake up any rattlesnakes before standing on it.

For a boy, however, it was great fun.  We stayed in the family cabin, and had fresh trout for breakfast, and hiked along the river, ever hopeful that the next pool held the big one.  It was a great trip for a son and his father, and a friend like Andy.  As you can see, I remember it with fondness.

My fishing trips with my own sons were even more limited.  I hope, however, that they have some fond memories, too.