American Architect, Author. Dorman, after a stint as a bomber for the Army in World War II, attended the University of Southern California where he graduated with a degree in Architecture in 1951. Upon graduation, he was invited to join Welton D. Becket’s firm where he went on to become the assistant director of design. In 1956, he left to open the firm of Richard L. Dorman & Associates in Los Angeles and was instrumental in developing and designing several mid-century homes in Trousdale Estates area. In 1962, he appeared on the cover of LIFE magazine for the “Take-Over Generation” issue and in 1968, he was named one of America’s top Architects by The American Institute of Architects (AIA). Among buildings he went on to design were the Los Angeles International Design Center in West Hollywood and the Papermate Building in Santa Monica, as well as many private residences around the city. In 1975, he sold his practice and moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico to pursue his hobby as a scale-model train enthusiast, and eventually wrote 13 books on the subject of narrow-gauge railroads. (bio by: Louis M.)