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ESCANABA - In a final farewell, family, friends, colleagues and former students of Doug Fix offered a last hurrah to him as they applauded, cheered and whistled at the conclusion of his memorial service Thursday.
“He would want no moment of silence,” said Bob Weismann of Skandia, Doug’s friend of 31 years. Weismann was the final speaker to address the full house in attendance at the Escanaba Middle School auditorium. “He would want a moment of applause, cheers and laughter.”
And that’s just what they gave him.
But it was evident that it was no match to what Doug had given them.
Escanaba native Doug Fix, 61, died Saturday of an apparent heart attack while participating in a run in Marquette. He left behind Ann, his wife of 38 years, and their two sons, David and Martin, and their families.
In addition to other family members including his father and siblings, Doug
also left behind several friends from near and far, and many former students and colleagues from the Escanaba School District where he taught for years.
“Words cannot describe how wonderful of a guy he was. He touched so many lives,” said Steve Howes of Escanaba, a friend of Doug’s, as he viewed a display of photos and mementoes. Howes did say that Doug was “very, very inspirational.”
Former Rock resident Dave Gasowski of Brooklyn, N.Y., a friend of Doug’s since 1974, said, “He was a really great family man and adventurous. He did more in his lifetime than most people can dream about...He was a good listener, too.”
Doug’s friend of 25 years, Steve “Satch” Miketinac of Escanaba, described Doug as “brilliant, inspiring, passionate...He was mad about life, never a dull moment, always reaching for something...He was a one-of-a-kind person.”
Miketinac said Doug inspired him to live life fuller and be a little bit better person. “I lost someone that was as close to me as a brother. I’ll miss him a great deal.”
Doug’s daughter-in-law, Rachel Fix, welcomed everyone to the memorial service, saying they were all there because they knew Doug as a family member, a friend, a colleague, a neighbor, a teacher or a runner. They were there because they loved him and were thankful for what he brought to their lives.
In his address to the crowd, friend and colleague Greg Potvin said, “Doug Fix ‘Fixrrr’ is a great man.” He went on to describe him as an awesome husband, father, grandfather, teacher, school board member and friend. He said Doug could be counted on and also called him a warrior.
“He gave his true possessions...his love and time...and devotion,” Potvin said, recalling memories of Doug like his classroom decorations of album covers, wild artifacts and student artwork. Potvin told stories of Doug and him packing 50 Snow Club kids in a bus to go skiing.
“Doug had an awesome attitude,” Potvin said. “He was scary and passionate at the same time in a fun, fun way...He was an amazing man who unselfishly gave his best...no person could fill his boots.”
Doug’s friend and former student, Justin Gluesing, spoke during the service. “He was a living example of being proficient at something and being brilliant at something, at being smart and being wise...He threw his heart into everything he did...He believed in not doing a job, but loving a job, not living life, but loving life...He made me feel I could do anything,” Gluesing said.
A video of Doug was presented with photographs of him fading into a background of blue sky and clouds.
Gerald Spalding Jr. then spoke. Doug was like a father to him. He said Doug had a rare quality, an “instant karma,” that drew people to him. “Shed tears not in grief but in praise of Doug Fix...and having been loved by such a great and shining star as Doug Fix.”
Dan O’Donnell, another friend, read excerpts from “The Testament to a Fisherman” by Robert Traver, telling about the love and joys of fishing and life.
Peter Ammel played an original composition on the piano in honor of Doug. Many people in the audience had their hands or fingers to their mouths as if they were in deep thought of their own memories of Doug. Ammel later performed with John Shepich in a vocal performance of “In My Life” by John Lennon and Paul McCartney.
The final speaker of the night was Weismann who said he called Doug Fix, “Dog Fox.” Weismann spoke of his lost friend in words that were often poetic.
“He was mostly alone, but sometimes he ran with the pack...He was constantly changing and re-inventing himself like a rock star...He never wanted to be predictable or caught,” Weismann said. He recalled how when his daughter was young, she thought Doug could fly.
Doug “carried the love” of people, his wife, his sons and his friends, Weismann said, reflecting how Doug also loved nature, camping and poetry.
“He was mostly simple but weirdly complex,” Weismann added.
Weismann said Doug would be the first one to tell his students, “Death sucks” but there’s nothing you can do about it.
“He will be in our dreams,” Weismann said before encouraging Doug’s friends and family to applause, cheer and laugh for him.
Doug received a standing ovation.