Burlington - Dr. R.M. Sorensen 94, (1924-2018), husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and WW II Navy pilot passed away peacefully at Burlington Hospital on September 19, 2018

Dr. Sorensen graduated High School in Norfolk, Nebraska, in 1942. Then went into training as a Naval Aviator. He entered WWII flying 59 missions from aircraft carriers in the Pacific, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross and four Bronze Stars.  He left the service as a Lieutenant JG.  After the war he attended Iowa State University, where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Arts Education and a Master's Degree in Education Administration.  He later earned a PhD. In Education Administration from University of Iowa.

His career in education began as a teacher, coach, and counselor. Later he became a High School Principal and ended his career as a Superintendent of Schools in Marion, Iowa for 13 years and Burlington, Wisconsin for 12 years.

He gave back to his community through his involvement in the Boy Scouts, Lions Club, Rotary, Masons, Shriners, Library Association, and various other community organizations and projects.

Dr. Sorensen is survived by his loving wife, Betty Jean of 74 years, daughter Melody (Tom) Kelter, Jeff (Bea) Sorensen, April (Paul) Tellier. His grandchildren Shelby Zeier, Thomas (Melissa) Sorensen, Nicholas (Jenny) Sorensen, Joshua (Mary) Tellier, Ben Tellier, Michelle (Adam) Wavra, Ethan Tellier, and nine great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by a grandson, Branden Richard, his brother, Laurel, his parents Martin and Bertha (Truesdell) Sorensen, and his in-laws H. Vern Gillis and Maggie Belle (Holmes) Gillis.

He will be interred in a private ceremony for family at the Union Grove Veterans Cemetery.

He will live in our memories forever as he joins in flight a squadron of angels.