Obituary of Philip Emil Chitwood

Philip Emil Chitwood, 81, passed away on Wednesday, March 28, 2018. He was born on October 2, 1936 in Madison, WI. His family settled in Oregon in 1947 where after earning varsity letters in three sports in high school he attended Oregon State University (Go Beavers!) and earned a Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology. Phil moved to Juneau, Alaska in January, 1959, becoming an Alaskan as Alaska earned statehood. In addition to his successful career both with Alaska’s first Fish & Game division and the US Department of Fisheries he served on the Douglas City Council and as mayor of the City of Douglas. He survived the Juneau/Douglas consolidation and then served on the City & Borough of Juneau Assembly including a year as Deputy Mayor. Phil spent many summer weekends exploring all the glorious coves and bays that SE Alaska has to offer, feeding both body & soul off the bounty of the sea. A true Alaskan, he was hard-working, big-hearted and full of life. Following his government fisheries career he was recruited by a Seattle based fisheries firm and spent nearly 10 years working in the trawling industry with connections in Russia, Japan and Alaska. For recreation he traded his Alaska boating lifestyle for a set of golf clubs, enjoying the sport itself as well as the many friends he met along the way. Golf and community were a big part of Phil’s life in retirement. He was an active member of Alderbrook enjoying both the golf itself and the active social, family-like community. His years in charge of salmon BBQs and serving on various committees were the basis of many new friendships and many great stories. He and his adventurous black and orange golf cart were well known among the golf community even having the lake at the 18th green named for him. Phil, a loving husband, dad, grandpa, and great-grandpa will be sorely missed. He is survived by his wife of 42 years Ginny, daughters Phyllis, BarBee, Lin, Karen and Dian; son-in-laws Wayne, Kerry, Vance and Marvin; grandchildren Matt, Jason, Chris, Phil, Sean, Kelsie, Ryan, Aaron, Katie and Pete; and great-grandchildren Ayla, Austin, Arianna, Alyssia, Aiden, Cole, Kendra, Alani and Christian. A gathering to celebrate his life and swap stories will be held on Saturday, April 28, 2018 from 2pm – 5pm at the clubhouse at Alderbrook Golf & Yacht Club, E. 330 Country Club Dr., Union, WA. Please bring stories to share. Arrangements were made by McComb & Wagner (http://www.mccombwagner.com/obituaries/) where there is an online memorial for those unable to share memories in person. In lieu of flowers please consider a contribution to the Karen Hilburn Foundation or your favorite charity.