BRUNSWICK, MAINE—He was the fourth generation of his family to be immersed in the carpet business and learned about the manufacturing and selling of the product from the bottom up. His great grandfather founded Philadelphia Carpet Co. in 1846 and Herbert E. Doerr Jr., was exposed to every aspect of the business, eventually focusing his career on sales. He moved here 10 years ago and after battling a long illness, died Oct. 7. He was 92.

Doerr was born in Philadelphia in 1917 and was educated at Germantown Academy, after which he joined the family firm. He traveled extensively to learn all that he could as quickly as he could. He served in the company’s branches in San Francisco, St. Louis and Boston. In 1941, he was named vice president of sales.

In 1958, he and his brother became aware of the tufting revolution and bought a mill in Cartersville, Ga., and distributed the output through Philadelphia Carpet, a traditional weaver at the time. In 1967, both companies were sold to Shaw Industries, which still markets the brand both residentially and commercially. Doerr made a final maneuver when he bought a mill, on his own, in Chattanooga, Tenn., commuting to and from Philadelphia. He sold that mill in 1970 and retired.

Survivors include his second wife, Alice, and a son, William W. He was predeceased by his wife of 40 years, Eleanor, along with two children.