Douglas Toland, 75

Douglas Toland, 75, passed on into the dawn at home, surrounded by love on Sunday, May 20, 2018. He courageously faced a February diagnosis of aggressive brain cancer.

He was born to Ruth and Charles Toland in Wilmington, Delaware, on July 30, 1942. His family nurtured his love of weather, the outdoors and every living thing.

Graduating from Conrad High School, Douglas served three years as a Navy weatherman. He attended the University of Delaware and Montana State University, majoring in earth science/mineralogy and environmental science. While attending the University of Delaware, Doug was asked to be the sherpa for a Smith-sonian expedition to Green Mon-ster Moun-tain, a world class Epidote crystal locality located on Prince of Wales Island, Alaska (June 1967). It was love at first sight. For the remainder of his life, Doug would travel to Green Monster, hand collecting crystals and savoring its beauty.

Doug and his first wife (Fran), moved to Alaska, finally settling in Juneau, where they raised two children, Andrew and Bonnie. He worked for the state of Alaska, Department of Environmental Conservation. When winter prevented trips to Green Monster, Doug acquired a talent for panning gold which he demonstrated for tourists and school children alike. In 1992, he married Mary, becoming a devoted stepfather to Glen and Sarah Aronson. Doug and Mary moved to Sagle, Idaho, in 1999.

Doug was preceded in death by his first wife, Fran Jameson. He is survived by his wife, Mary; his son, Andrew (Portland); his daughter, Bonnie (Seattle); his stepson, Glen (Montana); and his stepdaughter, Sarah (Montana). Other survivors include his brother, David Toland (Delaware), Richard Toland (Gail) of Pennsylvania; sister-in-law Pat Paxton (New Hampshire); and his beloved nieces and nephews.

Throughout his life and career, Douglas was recognized for his environmental passion and love of volunteering in schools. Nothing pleased him more than reading with students, sharing his love of crystals via “classroom rock talks,” and inspiring care for this planet through environmental education activities. Donations honoring Douglas may be made to Bonner County Human Rights Task Force, Panhandle Alliance for Education.

A family gathering will be held at a later date.

Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint is handling the arrangements. Please visit Doug’s online memorial at lakeviewfuneral.com and sign his guest book.