Fowlerville News and Views Online

Douglas Roy Spencer

    Douglas Roy Spencer, of Fowlerville and Oscoda, lost his battle with mesothelioma lung cancer on December 23, 2017. He was 70 years old. Doug was born May 21, 1947, in Mt. Clemens, MI, the son of Roy and Alletta (Gilmore) Spencer. He spent his youth in Armada, MI, where he graduated from Armada High School in 1965. He attended Port Huron Jr. College, then transferred to Eastern Michigan University where he earned a BS in Biology (minor in Chemistry) in 1970 and an MS in Biology in 1975.
     He was employed professionally as an Aquatic Biologist with NUS Corporation in Pittsburgh, PA, and later as an independent consultant in benthic biology and a Public Health worker and manager. He retired from Washtenaw County government in 1997. Doug authored/co-authored 12 scientific articles on such diverse subjects as invertebrate zoology, entomology, and environmental science, as well as numerous articles on his family genealogy. He was known internationally as a specialist of the microdrile (Tubificidae and Naididae) oligochaetes for several years. 
      Doug enjoyed many interests during his lifetime: strength training, collecting insects, gardening, woodcutting, beekeeping, genealogy, and cider making. He was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Washington, PA, in 1977. He served the Church in many capacities over his 40 years of membership.
     He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Cathie Tanya Dietrich; Daughter: Jennifer Ann (Cody) Reber of Fowlerville; Sons: Clinton Douglas (Crystal) of Grand Blanc, Clayton Henry (Julie) of Shepherd, Joshua Roy (Loronna) of Phoenix, AZ, and Lance William of Westland; Sister: Mary Elizabeth Spencer of Washington, MI; 9 grandchildren; 1 step-granddaughter; 6 nephews, and 1 niece. Doug was preceded in death by his parents and a granddaughter. 
     Funeral services were held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Howell, MI, on Saturday, December 30, 2017. Burial took place in Richards Cemetery, Richmond Township, Michigan, where many of Doug’s ancestors are interred. 
    Please sign the family’s online guestbook at www.macdonaldsfuneralhome.com