David Leo Phillis,79, passed away peacefully at home in Arcata on March 25, 2025, surrounded by his family. Dave was born in Waterloo, Iowa, moving to Lakewood, California at the age of six where he grew up with his siblings, Janie, Connie, and Mike. After earning a business degree from Long Beach State in 1970, he followed his passions north to Humboldt, enrolling in art and music classes — two lifelong interests.

When Dave took an interest in something, he fully immersed himself. His passions included family, sports, gardening, music, and art. He brought a can-do attitude and an artistic touch to everything he did - be it home renovation, gardening, cooking, photography or the art of simply emptying a paint can.

Dave was known for his unassuming manner and ever-present, wry sense of humor. To be a friend (or even a doctor) of Dave’s, a shared sense of humor was essential.

Sports was an ever-present through-line in Dave’s life, from sandlot baseball and pick-up basketball as a young boy in the 50s, to many years of coaching the youth of Arcata and McKinleyville. In his early Humboldt days, he especially enjoyed playing beer league softball for the North Bay Grease, where he was notoriously christened “Dave the Rave”. His first coaching gig, which was with a women’s softball team (the “Lardettes”), became life-changing when he met Cathy (aka Stretch). They soon married and welcomed two sons, Corey and Morgan. He was a devoted husband and father… a true family man. He coached not only his own kids but a whole generation of Humboldt youth in baseball, soccer, and basketball. He loved the camaraderie of a team and found deep joy in teaching skills that built confidence and character well beyond the playing field.

Dave was a talented gardener nurturing trees from seeds, tending his bonsais and propagating almost all his plants from cuttings. Gardening without fences on Fickle Hill is no easy task as deer, moles, slugs and bears all visit with their own agenda. He waged these battles with the same zeal and lack of success as the gopher-obsessed groundskeeper from Caddyshack.….so yep cursing could occasionally be heard. However, the garden was truly his happy place and source of joy. After a long day of toiling in the garden he loved to feed the birds, watch the squirrels frolic and just relax on the deck admiring the beauty.

Though not a performer Dave was an avid guitarist, playing daily oftentimes for hours on end. After the birth of his granddaughter Kira, he took up songwriting, composing songs for and about her. Nothing pleased him more than watching his grandchildren, Kira and Miles, dance to his strumming. He often remarked that they were the absolute best therapy and that no medicine could provide the lift and happiness that the time spent with them provided.

Amazingly, amidst all his passions Dave did find time for a day job. If you spent time in downtown Arcata, you may remember him from Bubbles, where he spent a 35-year career. There, again, he enjoyed being part of a team. Although he often hid out in the back or at the lab he especially enjoyed it when a customer turned out to be an old friend or full grown, now adult, former little leaguer who stopped in to catch up. His dry wit, curiosity, and steady presence helped keep him connected to the Arcata community.

Dave lived a rich, full life marked by love, laughter, and quiet creativity. He will be remembered for his gentle heart, sharp wit, and unwavering dedication to the people and passions that defined him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ellis and Faye Phillis, brother Mike Phillis, and sister Connie Yopp. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Cathy Phillis; sister Janie Erwin (Bill); sons Corey Phillis (Alison Collins) and Morgan Phillis; grandchildren Kira and Miles Phillis and numerous nieces and nephews.

He will be deeply missed.

Friends are invited to join us to celebrate Dave’s life at 1 p.m. on July 6th at Septentrio Winery in Arcata.