Obituary of Dr. Douglas E. Phillips

Dr. Douglas Elroy Phillips  (1934 - 2026)

Douglas Elroy Phillips passed away in the Nipawin Hospital on February 13^th, 2026 at the age of 91, with family by his side.

He is lovingly remembered by his wife of 66 years, Shirley, and his children Scott (Susan), Rendalyn (Mike), Peter (Wanda), Kris (Justine) and Shelinda (Scott), as well as grand children Allie, Sydney, David, Julia (Luke) Robyn (Jon), Kristen, Shane, Shae-Lyn, Rachel, Luyza, Xavier, Zara, Olympia, Magnus, Elmer and Maxwell. Also, great grandchildren Henry, Angus, Evelyn, Charlotte and Andrew.

Douglas was born in Lloydminster to Roy and Veda Phillips. He graduated from the University of Alberta with a Doctorate of Dental Surgery in 1958 and went on to build a remarkable career as a dentist in Nipawin, Saskatchewan and Mzuzu, Malawi, and later, after receiving a Doctorate in Dental Public Health from the University of Toronto, as a public health dentist in Saskatchewan, Newfoundland and across Canada’s north.

Despite a busy and accomplished professional life, Doug was generous with his time and deeply devoted to his family and his many outside interests. He was never happier than when he was communing with nature and he instilled a deep appreciation for the natural world in his children. We are all the better for it.

He was the consummate outdoorsmen, camping and canoeing his way across Northern Saskatchewan. Together with Dr Stan Riome and supported by MLA Frank Radloff, he helped establish the Maurice Street Nature Sanctuary near Nipawin. He supported many conservation charities and initiatives over his lifetime.

Douglas was a longstanding member of the Masonic Lodge in Canada and in Africa. He was also a recipient of the Paul Harris award, in recognition for the support he provided to Rotary International over the years.

Doug is predeceased by his parents, Roy and Veda, and by his siblings, June, Bob, George, Bill and Garry. He is survived by his sisters in law Rose and Judy.

A celebration of Doug’s life will be held at the Nipawin United Church on Saturday, July 11^th 2026 at 2PM.

Donations in his memory to Nature Saskatchewan would be greatly appreciated.

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“Best of all he loved the fall

the leaves yellow on the cottonwoods

leaves floating on the trout streams

and above the hills the high blue windless skies, now he will be part of them forever-E.H.