Daniel G. Phillips MD

On Tuesday January 3rd Dr. Daniel G. Phillips died peacefully with family by his side, following a courageous battle against Merkel Cell Carcinoma. With his family’s unending love and care he left this world as he lived every day, bringing people together and growing families.

Dan was born August 2nd 1943 in Augusta Georgia, to Thelma Louise Campbell and Samuel Lee Corley. After the death of his father, his mother remarried and Dan was adopted by Mervin Thomas Phillips. His little brother Thomas Mervin Phillips was always his best friend and confidant. Tommy and his wife Barbara came from Georgia to assist with Dan’s care during his last months.

Dan was a proud graduate of the University of Georgia (1964) and was a Bulldog fan through and through. He met his true love and future wife, Bonnie Ellen Davis, in the summer of 1962 while working at Eugene Talmadge Memorial Hospital where Dan and Bonnie worked as Nursing Assistants. He proceeded on to medical school at the Medical College of Georgia (1968). Dan completed his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Emory University in 1972. Later that year, Dan and Bonnie relocated to Fairchild Air Force Base.

During his enlistment in the United States Air Force at FAFB Dan trained as a Flight Surgeon and practiced in Obstetrics and Gynecology. This began his life’s work and passion of caring for mothers and bringing children into the world. Dan began his private medical practice in 1979 and delivered 6532 babies, falling just short of his personal goal of 7000 due to his forced early retirement in April of 2011. He touched the lives of thousands of women and their families, providing care to three generations in many families. He loved to teach and enjoyed having medical students and nursing students rotate through his office. Dan was always willing to share his knowledge and experience. Even during his recent hospitalizations, Dan was educating nursing staff and students about his rare illness.

Dan and Bonnie were married June 4th of 1966 and enjoyed 46 ½ years of loving marriage. They raised four daughters Laura, Lisa, Lydia and Leah. All can recall a life filled with wonderful memories of their father. He was very proud of each of his daughters and each of their accomplishments. He raised them to be smart, independent and powerful women, just like their mother.

The deep love for his family extended to his animals. He had many pets, 7 grand dogs and 5 grand cats, each had a special bond with “grandpa”. Dan was “owned” by his much loved miniature dachshund, Katie Scarlet O’Hara. Katie was his constant companion and was able to spend time with him during his last days while in the hospital.

Dan took advantage of his time off by enjoying the outdoors, caring for his yard, feeding the birds, fishing and traveling. He thoroughly enjoyed sports, especially watching the Gonzaga and Georgia Bulldogs and Spokane Chiefs.

Dan was diagnosed with Merkel Cell Carcinoma, a rare and aggressive cancer, in March of 2011. The primary site of his cancer was a growth on his back that appeared insignificant for many years. Merkel Cell Carcinoma is a disease in which cancerous cells are found on or just beneath the skin. It usually appears as firm, painless, shiny lumps of skin that usually have rapidly increased in size just prior to diagnosis. It is usually found on sun-exposed areas and occurs mostly in Caucasians over 60 years of age. It grows rapidly and often spreads to other parts of the body. A quick diagnosis and appropriate treatment is necessary to cure this disease. In the vast majority of cases, both the doctor and the patient are surprised by the diagnosis of Merkel cell carcinoma. For more information go to www.seattlecca.org.

Dan’s time with us would never have been enough, even if he lived to be 100 the joy he found in family, gardening, boating or a project at home spread to anyone near him. To a loving husband, father, brother, uncle and friend you will truly be missed. Rest well, knowing that your wife, daughters and all your family love and care for each other more every day because of you.

Survivors include his loving wife Bonnie Phillips, his daughters Laura Harper (Brian), Lisa Westbrook (Alan), Lydia Myers (Brian) and Leah Southard (Bradley), his brother Thomas Phillips (Barbara), his nephews Stacey Phillips (Lindsey) and Todd Phillips, and great nephews William Phillips and Pierce Phillips.

In lieu of flowers, Dr. Dan requested donations be made in his honor to Merkel Cell Carcinoma Research, c/o P. Nghiem MD Phd, 815 Mercer St, Brotman Bldg Rm 242, Box 358050, Seattle WA 98109 or the Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery, 1004 E 8th Ave, Spokane WA 99202.

There will be a private graveside service at Eastern Washington Veterans Cemetery on Wednesday January 11th. A Celebration of Life for family, friends and colleagues, will be held Saturday January 14th at the Glover Mansion, 321 W 8th Spokane WA 99204, at 2 pm.