Philip (Phil) C. Doolittle, Jr. joined his Lord on March 19, 2025. He was born August 20, 1940, in Chicago, IL, moved with his family to Valparaiso and thereafter graduated from Valparaiso High School in 1958, and Valparaiso University in 1962 as an Electrical Engineer.
Funeral Services will be held April 8, 2025, 12-2 pm at Moeller Funeral Home in Valparaiso, 2:30 Angelcrest Cemetery, Flower Garden.
Phil’s professional career began at NASA headquarters in Florida. Having met his life love Janet Wognum a year later, he returned to Valparaiso, courted and married Jan, and together they started a family, resulting in two wonderful children, Christi and Cole, both residents of Valparaiso. Recognized as a Licensed Professional Engineer, with expertise in diverse fields of engineering, Doolittle had a distinguished career in electrical protection systems, teaching, and fuse sales with Commonwealth Engineering, and Buss Fuses. He also served as a product inventor for private engineering firms and US Steel, crafting intellectual property still in use. Phil directly contributed to the existing Chicago skyline and industry. At one point, Chicago’s then Mayor Washington recognized him directly, proclaiming that “Chicago is a safer place because of you.” He also served as an expert witness in the courtroom, in part because Phil was known for his precision and integrity. While maintaining personal friendships and compassion for his peers, he was also firmly dedicated to personal hobbies such as gardening, tractoring (collecting, repairing), and creating perfect heirloom tomatoes, earning the nickname “the tomato guy”. A classic American outdoorsman, he loved the wild in general, highlighted by hiking and family camping, along with hunting and fishing especially in Canada and on Lake Michigan, as well as his secret fishing holes from his youth. He was also sensitive to preservation and conservation efforts, having planted thousands of trees and worked his garden house property.
Philip is survived by his wife, Janet (Wognum) Doolittle, daughter, Christi Doolittle, son, Cole (Draga) Doolittle, and treasured granddaughter, Riley Doolittle; as well as siblings, Phoebe Brink, Jean Arrington, and Jim (Lorraine) Doolittle, along with many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Philip Senior and Adeline Doolittle, and sister Joan Pacholke.
In lieu of flowers the Doolittle family encourages you to have a tree planted in memory of Philip at www.memorialtree.com
GUESTBOOK
Thank you for sharing your personal and professional stories of Phil, wth us. It's warming to learn of so many lovely, extraordinary interactions and memories. Greatly appreciated. -Christi (daughter)
Jan and Christi My mother and I offer our deepest condolences to all of you. I have great memories of Phil working with my father, helping me at home and my mother’s and just plain talking to and being a great friend. -Jim Rowe
Our children will always remember going trick or treating with your dad driving the small tractor (pulling the hay wagon )around Crestview for everyone to ride instead of walking. What fond memories of living in a fun neighborhood for 12 years! -Carol and Bill Fisher
What a great guy. Master of the infectious smile, and wit. Learned much about gardening and travel from him. We were friends from college, and after a brief hiatus of 50:years we were reunited and enjoyed much together. -Dave Brandt
Heartfelt condolences to the Doolittle Family during this difficult period. May the many wonderful memories of Phil bring you peace in knowing his special love in your heart. May his memory be eternal. -Tiffany Hawkins
