Donald B. Phillips, Ypsilanti, Mich., formerly of Luverne, died Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2002, in Ypsilanti.
Services were in Ann Arbor, Mich., last week. The family will gather for worship in Grace Lutheran Church, Luverne, at the 10:45 a.m. service, Sunday, Nov. 10. Burial services in Maplewood Cemetery will be 12:30 p.m., following the service.
Donald Phillips was born to Ben and Rosie Phillips, on Sept. 4, 1942, in Luverne. He graduated from Luverne High School in 1960. He attended Concordia College, Moorhead, and North Dakota State University, receiving his B.A. and M.S. degrees in chemistry in 1964 and 1966, respectively.
He married Eunice Wangberg on Aug. 14, 1966. The couple moved to Elizabethtown, Ky., where he began his teaching career at Elizabethtown Community College. Three years later, he returned to graduate school at the University of Georgia, Athens, Ga., and received an Ed.D in science education in 1972. In 1972, he took a position as assistant professor of chemistry at Eastern Michigan University, where he received the rank of full professor.
Dr. Phillips' professional expertise was in the field of chemistry for future elementary school teachers. Hundreds of area school children have enjoyed participating in his Chemistry 101 course at E.M.U. He received the National Science Teachers - Gustav Ohaus Award in 1982 for Innovations in College Science Teaching. That same year he was a finalist for the Distinguished Faculty Award for Excellence in teaching at E.M.U.
Dr. Phillips was well known for organizing chemical magic shows and “Saturday Morning at the Lab” programs for the community. His hobbies included woodworking, listening to music, and searching family history.
Survivors include his wife, Eunice Phillips, Ypsilanti; and two sons, Timothy Phillips, and Dan Phillips.
Mr. Phillips was preceded in death by his parents.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to either Luverne Dollars for Scholars, Trinity Lutheran Church Meditation Garden or the E.M.U. Chemistry Department Scholarship Fund.
Nie Funeral Home Inc., Ann Arbor, was in charge of arrangements.