Vincent A. Dolva

A lifelong learner, Vincent A. Dolva, 102, of Hawley, MN, delighted in discovery – whether that meant hiking up a mountain summit in Montana or building a computer from scratch in his basement. His twin passions, technology and the natural world, took him on adventures far beyond the limits of Hawley, a place he always called home. He passed away on Thursday, July 30, 2020, at Essentia Health in Fargo, ND.

Vincent Andrew Dolva was born September 18, 1917, in International Falls, MN, to Olaf and Alma (Hovde) Dolva.  His father was a civic leader and one-time mayor of Hawley. At an early age, Vince moved with the family to Walker, MN, and the state of Washington before moving to Hawley in 1925. He enjoyed growing up and attending school in Hawley. Vince became passionate about Ham Radios and before graduating from high school in 1936, he earned his Amateur Radio License. His interest in technology extended to serving for a time as a projectionist at the Hawley movie theater.

Vince continued his education at Port Arthur College in Port Arthur, TX, where he learned Morse Code and received his FCC First Class Radiotelephone License. Vince began his career in Mandan, ND, Fergus Falls, MN, and Devils Lake, ND. In Devils Lake, his duties at a radio station included transcribing the news, which arrived in Morse Code. He later joined Western Airlines, where he enjoyed 18 years and specialized in Aeronautical Radio. That skill proved sufficiently valuable to the airline that he was exempted from military service in WWII. Seeking more security than the private sector offered, Vince joined the Federal Aviation Agency (FAA), serving in technical roles for more than 20 years.

On October 4, 1952, Vince married Jean Anne Laurance at Elmwood Community Church in Hartford, CT. They started their lives together moving out West, living both in Great Falls, MT, and Salt Lake City, UT. Vince and Jean enjoyed traveling around the west and developed many lifelong friendships along the way. They moved to Bloomington in 1968 and he retired in 1979. Upon retirement, they moved to Hawley, MN building a home on the Buffalo River.

Throughout his life, Vince loved the peace and beauty of mountains and woodlands. This passion took him on hikes and camping trips throughout the West, including Jackson Hole, WY; Glacier and Yellowstone Parks, and the Teton Mountains. For a time, he and a friend, Warren Price, owned a cabin deep in the Montana wilderness near Kings Hill pass in the Lewis and Clark National Forest.  One of his most ambitious trips was a week of backpacking over 60 miles into the Bob Marshall Wilderness in Montana. He took a group of five that included his brother, the late Roald Dolva, and Roald’s son, Bob, a current Hawley resident.

An avid reader, Vince kept abreast of innovations in science, in particular space exploration. He owned a telescope and enjoyed pointing out star constellations and planets on starry nights to anyone equally curious.

In retirement, Vince still enjoyed keeping busy and worked for 14 years at Minnesota State University Moorhead as a lab technician in the Physics and Psychology departments. He enjoyed socializing and visiting with others, spending time outdoors, traveling and especially family. A special interest was serving as a participant and volunteer for the Hawley Volksmarsch walking club.

A perennial optimist, Vince was a loyal friend to many. For years, he could be found early Sunday morning on his radio with fellow Ham Kermit Thompson, his best friend from Hawley High School. He could be counted on to make the best of any situation and encourage others.

He will be dearly missed.

Vince is survived by his children, Beverly Dolva, Laurance Dolva, Sharon McClintock, and Janet Dolva; grandchildren, Caitlyn (Josh) Morelli, and Alicia Gensch; great-grandchild, Jaxon Morelli; sisters, June Dolva and Doris Jorgenson; and many other loving relatives and friends.

Vince was preceded in death by his wife, Jean; his parents, Olaf and Alma; and brothers, Roald (Ruth) Dolva, Harold (Maydell) Dolva; and brother-in-law, Clay Jorgenson.

Memorial services will take place on Monday, August 10, at 2:00 p.m., at Wright Funeral Home in Hawley, MN, with a visitation 1 hour prior to services.

Interment following the service at Hawley Cemetery.