Doug was a Port Townsend resident for 43 years. His family moved to Port Townsend in a Volkswagen van in 1976 from Marin County, California. He graduated from Port Townsend High School in 1982.
He fished in Southeast Alaska for several summers; his main job being a purse seiner.
Doug put himself through college with his fishing funds and graduated from The Evergreen State College in 1989. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science; with a focus and interest in Solar Energy Design. Sunshine Propane employed him for 15 years. After that, remodel carpentry began to pay for his adventures.
Doug was an inventor at heart and loved to tinker. He created and engineered his own modern devices. His dream was to patent a design someday. About 10 years ago he designed and built a rack system to increase the versatility of small vehicles for work and play. The Susti Rack now proudly rides select West Coast vehicles.
Doug loved to travel and adventure whether it was locally or internationally. He also could be spotted at many local and regional dance, music, and gathering places as well as enjoying traveling to International Music and Dance festivals.
In his younger days he enjoyed sailing and kayaking. He fixed up a catamaran that he sailed up to the Gulf Islands and he built one of the first Pygmy kayak designs. He was a backpacker, backcountry Telemark skier and most recently became enamored with Standup Paddle Surfing. He designed and built two very unique boards from scratch. They were named Q1Platypus and Lemon Drop.
He loved Port Townsend, his family, and his people. His friends and family also loved him. Doug is survived by his mother, Karen Harris of Gig Harbor, and his sister, Julie Anderson (Gareth Phillips).
A memorial and gathering for all his community and family is planned for April 14 at 3pm at the Palindrome. Slideshow of his adventures and life will be shown.
