Philip Edgar Nesse, 77, of Bellingham, WA passed away on Thursday, December 18th at Island Hospital in Anacortes, WA.

Born on October 7, 1948, in Ames, Iowa, Phil was the son of Edgar and Ruth (Huus) Nesse. Raised during a time when conservation was gaining national momentum, this early influence sparked a love of history and ultimately led to a long career in science and teaching.

He attended the University of Minnesota, where his curiosity and dedication to learning shaped a lifelong path. In 1971, he earned a Bachelor of Arts in History, followed by a Bachelor of Science in Soil Science in 1978, and in 1986, completed a Master of Science degree in Soil Science. From 1986 to 2004, he devoted nearly 18 years to moving through an ever-changing lineup of positions with the University of Minnesota Extension and Oregon State University Extension—never staying still for long and never running out of things to learn and do.

His love of learning never faded; instead, it grew into a full-blown enthusiasm for teaching. In 2005, he added yet another degree, a Master of Science in Science Education from Oregon State University—proving he wasn't done with homework just yet. He spent nearly a decade teaching in Minnesota schools, a place he loved deeply. Still, the call of the Alaskan wild proved irresistible. Earning an Alaska Teaching License, he took his passion for learning on the road, sharing it in classrooms across Alaska—from the truly remote to the "remote, but with a coffee shop"—and leaving a lasting impression wherever he landed.

Outside of work, Phil enjoyed attending church, golfing and fishing with friends and family, collecting rocks, participating in his son's philosophy club, volunteering with Meals on Wheels in Brainerd, MN, and of course, his love of talking sports, especially college ball. Above all, Phil will be remembered for his remarkable ability to keep friendships alive across time and distance.

Phil is survived by his loving wife of four years, Marge Penning, of Grand Rapids, MI; his sons, Rustin Nesse of Tacoma, WA; Glen Nesse of Bellingham, WA and his son, Kain Cross and wife Elenore of Bellingham WA; and Leif Nesse and wife, Arita Thatte of Palo Alto, CA; his daughters Kristin and Laura Nesse of Ferndale, WA; his former wife, Marilyn Bader-Nesse, of Bellingham, WA; his brother Ronald Nesse and his wife, Lynn of Richland, WA;  and his sister, Karen Wilson, of Lacey, WA. He was preceded in death by his brother Mark Nesse, of Olympia, WA.

A Memorial Service will be held on December 29th at 11 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, 7215 Valley View Rd, Ferndale, WA, 98248. The service will also be livestreamed.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Nature Conservancy , any state university extension service (e.g., UMN or OSU ) or Zion Lutheran Church .

You are invited to share memories of Phil by signing his online guest register here at Evans.  Do bookmark this direct link to his memorial site for future return visits and or to check for updates: www.evanschapel.com/obituary/phil-nesse

This Man Is a Success

– Robert Louis Stevenson

That man is a success
who has lived well,
laughed often and loved much;
who has gained the respect of intelligent men and women
and the love of children;
who has filled his niche and accomplished his task;
who leaves the world better than he found it,
who has never lacked appreciation of Earth's beauty
or failed to express it;
who looked for the best in others,
and gave the best he had.