More detail on this person: Heart attack.It is my sad duty to report that this afternoon in Macon
Deorgia, my brother-in-law passed away as result of a heart attack. He was with friends and
relatives and went quickly with no pain. His other brother in law, Pete Quick, and nephew Matt
Allen administered CPR until the aid people showed up. I don't think he made it out of the
apartment alive. He is survived by his wife Ellen, daugher, Catlin and Son Matthew. Will advise on
were services will be held for those that knew Mal in the Atlanta area. Mal was a scout pilot with
the 7/17th Cav and flew the OH-6. Mal was a good loving man and will be sorely missed.
Slow hand salute for Mal Doremus. One fine man and one great brother in law.
From: Rod Barber
Malcolm Robert Doremus, 58, of 195 Barrington Hall Drive, Macon, Georgia, died suddenly Saturday,
March 25, 2006, in Macon, Georgia.
Malcolm was born August 16, 1947 in Auburn, New York, son of Robert L. and Janet D. Doremus of
Union Springs, New York.
He graduated from Union Springs Central School, Class of 1965. He earned his bachelor's degree at
Alfred University, Alfred, New York where he was a member of Delta Sigma Phi. Mal enlisted in the
U.S Army in November of 1969 for the Army Aviation Warrant Officer Program. He received the Wings
of an Army Aviator in November 1970.
Malcolm spent his career working as a commercial insurance underwriter mainly in property casualty
and received the Certified Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) recognition. Working for Aetna
Insurance Company he lived in Rochester, NY, Cleveland, Ohio and Buffalo, New York. Mal was hired
next by Travelers Insurance, which merged into City Group in Buffalo, New York. He recently
re-located to Macon, GA and was with Harleysville Insurance Company serving southern Georgia.
During his military service, Mal was assigned to the 7/17th Cav in the Republic of Viet Nam as a
Scout Pilot. He distinguished himself by supporting his unit and troops in the field and often
risking his own life to insure that others may live. He was a decorated pilot, his medals included
the the Distinguished Flying Cross and Bronze Star .
Mal was a Life Member of the Viet Nam Helicopter Pilots Association, Helivets and the Viet Nam
Helicopters Crewmembers Flightcrew Network. Some of his most cherished memories are his annual
Viet Nam Helicopter Pilots Association reunions.He loved trading war stories and wore his black
Cav hat with pride. He was introduced to his wife Ellen through one of the many fast friendships
that he made at VHPA.
Mal was a thoughtful, loving husband, grandfather, brother, uncle, friend and most of all, proud
father. His quick wit and dry sense of humor will be sorely missed. A recent transplant to the
south, he was happy to sell his snow blower and loved the year round warm weather. He happily
embraced all things southern, especially knowing he was above the gnat line (whether he was or
not.) He loved gadgets and sports, and avidly followed the University of Washington Huskies,his
daughter Caitlin's alma mater. He especially loved holidays and family celebrations. There are not
words to describe the place that Mal carved in the lives he touched and how much he was loved and
respected by his family, friends, and colleagues. He left us far too soon, and his passing leaves a
huge hole in our hearts and lives.
Surviving are his wife, Ellen Bandy Doremus, his daughter Caitlin Codd Doremus of Seattle,
Washington, and his son Matthew Rice Doremus, age 14. He is also survived by three step children,
Jennifer Allen (Matthew), Rincon, Georgia; Barbara Boetcher (Chad), Rolling Stone, Minnesota;
Michael Smith (Amy), Kenmore, New York. Step-grandchildren surviving are Aaron Allen, Andrew
Allen, Caroline Allen, and Corbin Bloom.
He is survived by his father, Robert L. Doremus of Union Springs, New York; his sister Sara
(Sally) Doremus Otis (Dillwyn) of Aurora, New York; and nephews, Gregory Malcolm Otis (Janet) of
Aurora, New York; Benjamin Neil Otis (Kristin) of Hamden, Connecticut and Jesse Jeremiah Otis of
Hamden, Connecticut; two great nephews, Jackson Mekeel Otis and Carter Robert Otis. Also
surviving are an aunt, Frances Arnold of Yellow Springs, Ohio; an uncle, Lewis Green of Himrod, New
York and several cousins.
Malcom was predeceased by his first wife, Patricia Codd Doremus; two daughters, Gillian Codd
Doremus and Elizabeth Codd Doremus and his mother, Janet Webster Davis Doremus .
Friends are invited to celebrate the life of Malcolm at the following services: Tuesday, March
28th, Snows Memorial Chapel, 746 Cherry Street, Macon GA, 6 - 8 PM Friday March 31st, Graveside
Burial, Strykersville Cemetary, Strykersville, NY Saturday April 1st, Memorial Service, Trinity
United Church of Christ, Cayuga Street, Union Springs NY, 2 PM Arrangements by Wood Funeral
Home, East Aurora, New York.
The family requests any remembrances be made to to the general fund of the Vietnam Helicopter
Association to support Vietnam Vets in need in Mal's honor.
From: Le Roy Pennysaver FAX: 585-768-6334 Buffalo (Evening) News: FAX:
1-800-777-8640 The Citizen, Auburn, NY email: citizenobits@lee.net
Wood Funeral Home, 784 Main Street, East Aurora, New York 14052 716-652-5549
Strykersville Cemetery, Strykersville, New York 14145
Burial information: Strykersville Cemetery, Strykersville, NY
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
Please send additions or corrections to: HQ@vhpa.org VHPA Headquarters
Return to the Helicopter Pilot DAT name list
Return to VHPA web site
Date posted on this site: 08/31/2024
Copyright © 1998 - 2024 Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association