Dorothy M. Erhard passed away peacefully January 18, 2022, at the age of 95. She was born in Brooklyn, New York, on April 9, 1926. She grew up and was educated on Long Island, NY. She had a love of music and started studying violin at an early age. She was concertmaster of a 100-piece symphonic high school orchestra that won a New York statewide competition to play in Carnegie Hall. At age sixteen she performed solo works with several symphonies. She went on to attend Adelphi University and earned a scholarship to the Manhattan School of Music in New York City where she studied violin with Hugo Kortschalk.
Dorothy performed in Baltimore, New York, Denver, Helena, and Billings, Montana. Then her concertmaster days were cut short at age forty when she contracted encephalitis and was paralyzed on her left side. Fortunately, she recovered, but was unable to play the violin again.
She married her high school sweetheart, Robert J. Erhard, after he returned from service with the Army Air Corps in World War II. Robert finished his education at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland while Dorothy continued to perform in concerts and concert music. Robert was employed by Exxon Corporation and that business sent them to many assignments across the country. Dorothy loved and took immense pride in her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchild. She enjoyed music, theater, playing bridge, reading, and socializing with friends.
Dorothy Erhard is survived by daughter Suzanne Schoot (Peter) of Renton, WA, sons Dean Erhard (Joyce) of Del Norte, CO, and Richard Erhard (Lisa) of Alpine, CA; five grandsons, Nathaniel Schoot (Jennifer), Jonathan Schoot, Grayson Erhard, Sumner Erhard, and Adam Erhard (Danielle); and one great-granddaughter, Olivia.
She is preceded in death by her parents (Edwin and Beulah), her husband (Robert), her brother (Edwin), and her sister (Beulah).
Cremation was chosen and inurnment will be at the Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, Washington. The family suggests Memorials be made to the Auburn Symphony Orchestra, Auburn, WA.
