Phillip James Tichenor

1931 - 2025

Phillip James Tichenor passed away surrounded by loved ones on March 12, 2025 at Abbott Northwestern Hospital following a stroke suffered on March 7th while living at the Heartwood Senior Living Center in Crosby, MN.

Phil was born on July 31, 1931 in Sparta, WI, the son of Victor and Esther (Wegner) Tichenor. He grew up on a small farm near Sparta and graduated from Sparta High School in 1947. Following high school, he worked as a farm hand for his brother for a year, after which time he gained admission to the University of Wisconsin (Madison), graduating with a degree in rural sociology and journalism in 1951. He was commissioned, through ROTC, into the US Army as a 2nd Lieutenant following his graduation. He served in the Toul-Nancy region of France in a combat engineering company. Following his tour in the army, he rejoined the university environment gaining a master's degree, writing and publishing agriculture-related science articles and ultimately earning a doctorate degree from Stanford University. Phil and Eileen (Woodworth) were married in Shamrock, WI on June 16, 1956. Following the marriage, they settled in Falcon Heights, and later Shoreview, MN. Phil was a Professor at the University of Minnesota, in both the departments of Rural Sociology and Journalism. He published many books and articles in the fields of mass communication, public opinion, rural sociology, science writing and co-authored as part of a triumvirate that produced and patented the Knowledge Gap Thesis. Phil and Eileen purchased lake property in Aitkin County Minnesota in 1958 and created a wonderful haven, known as "The Round Lake Cabin"; a lifetime of fond memories for his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and friends. Following Eileen's death in 2003, Phil and Joan (Huyck) were married and enjoyed their final years together.

Phil was preceded in death by his first wife Eileen; second wife Joan (nee Donaghy); parents; brothers Lorraine, sister-in-law Teresa (nee Schmidt), Louis, sister-In-Law Polly (nee Duren), Earl, sister-in Law Marge (nee Olson); son-in-Law Craig Goeser; and three infant grandchildren.

Phil is survived by daughter Lani (Bob) Beall; son Terry, daughter-in-law LeAnn (nee Birklid), son Michael, daughter-in-Law Becky (nee Boucher), step son Randall Huyck, step daughter-in-law Karen Huyck, step son Jon Huyck, step daughter-in-law Rachael Huyck; 17 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life service is planned for Phil on the 29th of July 2025 at the Brooklyn United Methodist Church, Brooklyn Center, MN. Visitation will commence at 4:00 PM, Service at 5:00PM and reception dinner at 6:00 PM.