Doug Sherk, age 80, of Eagle Harbor, MI passed away peacefully at Omega House in Houghton early on July 24, 2016 surrounded by his family.

Doug was predeceased by his parents Dafoe and Arzola (Haas) Sherk and his sister Evonne (Sherk) Allen. Doug is survived by his loving wife and best friend of over 56 years, Nancy, his three sons Eric (Mary) Sherk, Ben (Becky) Sherk, and Jon (Ghazala) Sherk and seven grandchildren Andrew, Peter, Harley, Emily, Sarah, Tabby and Josiah.

Doug dedicated his life to helping and caring for people and was a tireless advocate for the natural world that supports us.

As a practicing family physician and surgeon for more than 30 years, he provided loving care for his many patients in Crystal Falls, Marquette, and around the Upper Peninsula. He also worked tirelessly to improve medical services to UP residents, serving at various times as Associate Medical Director of the Jacobetti Veterans’ Facility, Medical Director of the Acocks Medical Facility, Assistant Dean for Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine UP campus, Chairman of the Quality Management Committee of Marquette General Hospital, and Director of the UP Quality Assurance Association, and in other capacities. Among other significant contributions, he is credited by the Kidney Foundation of Michigan with establishing the first dialysis program in the UP, which was also the first in Michigan to accept vacationing patients.

After leaving his medical practice, Doug continued to focus on the community in which he lived and the land that he loved, serving as Supervisor of Eagle Harbor Township and pouring his life into groundbreaking efforts to preserve the beauty of the Keweenaw Peninsula’s natural heritage by protecting land for the enjoyment of future generations. Through his involvement as a member of the boards of the Keweenaw Land Trust, the Keweenaw Community Forest Company and involvement in other conservation organizations, Doug left a lasting legacy that will ensure the protection of hundreds of acres of sensitive and unique lands in Keweenaw County that will be enjoyed for many generations while providing critical habitat for other life to thrive.

In lieu of flowers and to continue support of this great legacy, the family requests donations in his memory to the Keweenaw Land Trust, the Keweenaw Community Forest Company, or a natural preservation organization of the donor’s choosing.

A celebration of life will be held 1:00 PM, Thursday, July 28, 2016 at the Eagle Harbor Township Community Building.

Online condolences may be left for the family at ericksoncrowleypeterson.com.

The Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home in Calumet is assisting the family with arrangements.

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