DOUGLAS ANAWALT

Douglas (Doug) Anawalt 1929 2018 Doug Anawalt, 89, of Middleton, Idaho, passed away peacefully of natural causes on the morning of September 23, 2018. The celebration of his life (in combination with his wife, Ann Anawalt, who passed away on April 8) will be held in Marin County, California and will be announced at a later date. Doug was born in Drain, Oregon, the third child of Bruce and Marzelle Anawalt. He was raised with his sister, Virginia and brothers, Bruce and Don. As a child growing up in the depression era, Doug, and his family lived in Oregon, Idaho, Washington and Alaska before settling in Eugene, Oregon in 1942. After graduating from University High School, he enrolled at the University of Oregon to study architecture. There he met and married his wife of almost 66 years, Ann Price. Before he could finish his architecture studies at U of O, the Korean War broke out. Doug joined the Navy, attended Seabee Builder School and was stationed in Port of Spain, Trinidad where he built an entry gate to the Naval Base and learned to play golf. After his discharge, he graduated from the U of O in 1956. His early professional career as an architect saw him working for large architecture and planning firms in Arizona, Michigan and Ohio. It was during this time it became clear that he wanted and needed to work for himself. The couple moved to California in 1962 where he built his residential architecture practice (over 40 years and homes designed and built throughout the state) and raised his 3 children in San Anselmo, CA in the 'house that dad built.' Space, structure and energy conservation were important elements of his design aesthetic, as were gable and hip roofs with open cathedral ceilings. Frank Lloyd Wright and Japanese 'post & beam' were important influences in his work. Upon retiring in 2002, Doug and Ann sold their San Anselmo house and moved to Middleton, ID. They spent the next few years designing and building their retirement home, digging sewer lines with a back hoe and pouring cement foundations in their late 70's. Doug was a renaissance man he was intelligent, creative, intense, project-oriented, an artist, a musician, a writer, an activist, a designer, a problem solver, a father, a mentor, a husband, a friend and even yes, a basketball coach. Family was very important to him. Dinner was family time and the children had to be home and at the dinner table to talk and share what was done during the day. This sense of family was also extended to his many friends the list is too long to mention all of them but there was a special bond he formed with Ed & Eileen Chavez of Ross, CA (and their 6 sons) and the extended Marin basketball family he and Ann were part of. Doug and Ann were fixtures for many years at the Drake Summer Basketball League and hosted the Sweet Sensations team (an ice cream and baked goods shop they owned and operated in San Anselmo), made up of local Marin standouts from across the county. Doug loved to play his guitar and sing country music songs, especially the songs of Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson. He preferred to play in his bathroom where the acoustics were optimal. When Ann was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, he recorded two CDs of his favorite songs so she could hear his voice and sing along. Doug's mind was constantly working to find solutions for society's most difficult problems. He often wrote letters to U.S. senators and congressmen offering in-depth analyses of the issues and well-researched and thoughtful solutions. Some of his recent studies included housing for hurricane victims, the dangers of e-cigarettes and the need to ban assault weapons. Doug is survived by his children, Russell Anawalt, Warren Anawalt and Carolyn Melin. He also leaves behind his sister, Virginia Mardesich; his brother, Don Anawalt; and 5 grandchildren: Jordanna Anawalt, Warren Anawalt Jr., Hannah Anawalt, Samantha Melin and Megan Melin. In lieu of flowers, and if you are so inclined, please donate to Hospice or the Alzheimer's Association.