Barbara Ruth Dorman

Dorman, Barbara Ruth (1938-2024)

Barbara passed away peacefully on January 15, 2024, at the age of 85. She was born on January 23, 1938, in Harvey, Illinois, to Alice Ruth Hinebaugh and Russell Dwight Rahn, who were married on May 11, 1926. Alice and Russell were blessed with two daughters, Barbara, and Bette Jackson Ireson, born on February 3, 1930.

After graduating from Thornton High School, Barbara married Robert (Bob) Hooks, and then attended Georgetown College in Lexington, Kentucky for about a year. Barbara and Bob had four children: Sheree Kim Moore (Gregory), William Jesse Dorman, Ami Margarete Hayes (Keith), and Jennifer Joy Vandermeulen (Daniel). In 1964, Barbara and Bob moved to the San Fernando Valley in California and divorced in 1967.

Barbara worked at the Automobile Club of Southern California for two years and handled emergency road services. She was always proud to have received a call for help from Marlon Brando. After the Automobile Club, Barbara went to work as a secretary at TRW where she met an engineer, Jesse (Buzz) David Dorman. Barbara and Buzz were married on November 11, 1968, and had a daughter, Jessica Jill DeYoung (John), on January 9, 1970. In 1997 they legally separated.

Barbara was raised in Homewood, Illinois, and early on demonstrated her entrepreneurialism when she planned a carnival in her neighborhood and established the Homewood Friendship Club which raised funds for a bench that is still in a park near her childhood home. In 1977, Barbara started American Girl in Redondo Beach which had two executive suites and provided secretarial services to the public. The business moved to Palos Verdes and expanded to over ten executive suites. She had numerous clients including some famous such as football coach George Allen and actor Tom Selleck. Barbara was President of the Palos Verdes Chamber of Commerce, and on the Board of Directors of the Norris Theatre, Peninsula Symphony, and Torrance Memorial Hospital.

Barbara was passionate about family and her faith. Barbara had thirteen grandchildren and eighteen great grandchildren. She regularly attended her grandchildren’s sporting events and dance recitals, enjoyed giving them gifts on their birthdays and Christmas, took them on trips to Disneyland, Knotts Berry Farm (she loved the chicken), and Universal Studios, and loved each of them with all her heart.
Barbara’s hobbies included gardening, horses, and travel. Her dream job was to be an assistant to a movie director and her most admired person was her mom, Alice Rahn. Her travels included Alaska, Europe, Hawaii, Mexico and the US Virgin Islands. Barbara also went on mission trips to Mexico and had a heart for others and serving her community.

Barbara’s soul mate was Stanley (Stan) Dal Skeen. Stan and Barbara were inseparable, devoted to her grandchildren, enjoyed traveling, and loved each other very much. Stan passed away on May 30, 2001.
A private burial will be held at Green Hills Memorial Park, 27501 S Western Avenue, Rancho Palos Verdes, followed by a luncheon at Barbara’s favorite restaurant, Bart Earle’s Red Onion in Rolling Hills Estates. Donations in lieu of flowers are welcome to the Norris Theatre, 27570 Norris Center Drive, Rolling Hills Estates.