Philip Simonski, 72, a former Baker City Resident, died July 13, 2009, in Hillsboro from melanoma.
He was born in Philadelphia, Penn., on July 20, 1936, and graduated from Penn State university in 1959 from the school of forestry.
Phil came to Oregon to work for the Forest Service in 1961-Ochoco National Forest, Freemont National Forest and lastly on the Wallowa Whitman National Forest.
He retired in 1986, and operated a bed-and-breakfast in the family home in Baker City, where he had a tackle shop that supported his guide service on Brownlee Reservoir and other fishing hot-spots in northeast Oregon. He was recognized as a world-class bass fisherman (and had the prizes to prove it!)
Somewhere along the line, he also found time to become a best-in-the-West coyote hunter and guide.
He was an annual fixture at the Portland Outdoor Show at the Expo Center; where he held forth on the intricacies of luring the wily beast. His book on coyote hunting is still the definitive source.
In 2003, he moved to the Oregon Coast where he continued to enjoy the outdoors. In 2004 he married Jackie Miller and together they made their home in Seal Rock.
Survivors include his wife Jackie, daughters Michelle Simonski and her husband, Dave Davis, of Baker City, Yvonne Blewett of Portland, Suzette Egli of Keizer and Rene Reighard and her husband, Brion, of Spokane, Wash., his first wife, Danae Simonski; eight grandchildren and his sister, Phoebe Moyer.
Used with permission from: The Record Courier, Baker City, Oregon, July 23, 2009
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor