Philip Arthur Atkins

There will be a memorial service for Philip Arthur Atkins, 51, of Chico, Sunday, Feb. 19, 2006, 2 p.m. at the Congregational Church of Chico, 1190 E. First Avenue. A contender with cancer, he died peacefully Feb. 10, 2006 at the home of his parents, with family members present.

Philip was born Aug. 2, 1954 in Berkeley, Calif. to Leland and Martha Atkins. The family moved from Orinda to Chico in 1961 where Philip attended Rosedale School, Chico Junior and Senior High Schools, and Chico State University. During school years he was active in the high school band, the Chico Youth Symphony, his church youth group, and Boy Scout Troop 3 where he earned his Eagle Scout award where his father was Scoutmaster.

He had memorable backpacking trips in Northern California, plus the high Sierras and Hawaii. He designed and patented a canopy frame for mosquito netting over a sleeping bag. His original ideas and "thinking outside the box" were known to his family and others. He enjoyed stream fishing, and learning about California Native Indian culture, especially the story of Ishi.

In 1980-81 Philip joined the 13 month HikaNation backpacking event from San Francisco to the Atlantic coast. He resided in northern Virginia where he was employed by a concrete construction company for many years before he returned to California in April 2005, and to Chico November 2005. He was especially grateful to members of the Centerpointe Church of Fairfax, Va., for their friendship, spiritual support, and assistance with his move to California.

Besides his parents, he is survived by brother Paul Atkins of Chico, sisters Linda Campbell of Newcastle, Calif., and Karen Jimerson of Cameron Park, Calif., plus four nieces and one nephew.

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