Phillip Lee Lowman

Phillip Lee Lowman

Phillip Lee Lowman, age 80, died on Feb. 28, 2019, in Bonners Ferry, Idaho.

Phil is survived by his wife of 58 years, Lynda; his daughter, Cathy (John) Muckler, of Sandpoint, Idaho; his daughter, Liz (Dex) Vogel, of Clark Fork, Idaho; his grandchildren, Ryan McNally and Tess Vogel; his brother, Lynn Lowman, of Kalama, Wash.; and his sister, Alice Young of Black River Falls, Wis. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Les and Elaine Lowman, of Ludington, Wis.; and his sister, Jean Wiese, of Ludington, Wis.

Phil was born on Nov. 30, 1938, in Ludington, Wis. He went to high school in Augusta, where he lettered in football and baseball and worked on the family dairy farm. He attended the University of Idaho where he majored in the Forestry program, after which he moved to Bonners Ferry, Idaho, when he took a job with the United States Forest Service. He met his future wife, Lynda, in Bonners Ferry and they were married on Sept. 17, 1960.

Phil worked for the Forest Service for 38 years where he was active in fire control as a Fire Control Officer, and in timber management. Phil was very proud of “his loggers” and, after his retirement, he went to work at Crown Pacific and continued his career as a Timber Sale Administrator.

Phil was very devoted to his family and was probably the most dependable husband and father ever — we never doubted that we could count on him for anything. He and Lynda had two children, Cathy and Liz, and two grandchildren, Ryan and Tess, all of whom loved him very much.

He was an avid outdoorsman who loved to hunt and fish and, in his later years, enjoyed spending many hours going for long drives and watching wildlife, rather than hunting them, and just being in the beauty of the outdoors. He also had many happy memories of coaching Little League and passing on his knowledge of baseball, a sport he loved. He had fond memories of playing as an adult for Foust Softball and enjoyed watching his grandson play. He also spent many hours attending his granddaughter’s basketball, soccer and volleyball games and loved to watch her play. He was very proud of her when she went to college on a golf scholarship, a sport he initially thought was “way too boring” to watch.

At Phil’s request, no formal service will be held. His wish was to be cremated and he shared with his family where he would like us to remember him.

The family would like to thank our wonderful neighbors, Rich, Shari and Rob Beck, and Auburn Crest Hospice, in particular his nurse, Ruth Maria, for their care and support. We would also like to thank the following: John Tucker ll of the U.S. Border Patrol (Ret.), who rallied the local officers to search for Phil; Sheriff Dave Kramer and Det. Dave McClelland; the Boundary County Sheriff’s Office; many of Phil’s “loggers” who helped with the search; and our community for the outpouring of concern we have received. Your kindness will be remembered always. In lieu of flowers, if you wish to donate in Phil’s memory, Smile Train, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, or the Salvation Army were the causes he dearly loved and supported.