Phil Youngquist Sr., died Aug. 6 of natural causes. He was born Aug. 18, 1920, to Swedish immigrants Peter and Engaborg Youngquist in Bellingham. He was the eighth in a family of nine children, who have all preceded him in death.

He graduated from Bellingham High in 1938. He was raised in a boat-building family where he learned the art of woodworking. This led to his building of two charter boats, of which one continues to thrill halibut fishermen in Homer, Alaska.

Youngquist met and married his sweetheart Margie Cross in April 1941. In 1944, he joined the Army called Youngquist to duty. He served with Patton’s 89th infantry in France and Germany, laying phone lines for communications. Upon his return he continued to work at Pacific Northwest Bell (PNB). He managed the switchover from operator to dial in Renton, Port Angeles, Bellingham, and Bremerton. In 1952 he moved his family to Queen Anne Hill in Seattle, where he served as chief engineer for PNB. In 1957 the family moved to Hood Canal where he built their home on his waterfront dream, while he continued to work in Seattle commuting every day by ferryboat. He retired from the phone company in 1974.

Youngquist and his wife were faithful members of Christ Memorial Church in Poulsbo where he used his musical talent singing baritone as soloist with Margie accompanying him on the piano.

Youngquist is survived by his wife of 67 years, Margie; son Philip and wife Robin; daughter Leann and husband Barry; granddaughters Melissa, Melinda, and Marcelle; grandsons Brett and Ryan; great-grandchildren Dru, Conner, Paige, Gabbi, Sophia, and Isabel. He is preceded in death by great-grandchildren Victoria and Bradley and Chip Capps, father of Sophia and Isabel.

A memorial service will be at noon on Aug. 16 at Christ Memorial Church in Poulsbo. In lieu of flowers, make donations to Missions Ministry at Christ Memorial Church.