Doug Hidlebaugh

February 28, 1955 – July 13, 2015

Doug’s smile will be etched in our memories forever. Together the community mourns and celebrates Doug’s life and contributions to his family, friends, media partners, and province.

Doug’s love for north-east Saskatchewan transcended communities. Although his home was Nipawin for the past 28 years, he worked in and with many communities, organizations, and businesses. Doug was the “Radio Guy”.

Born in Nipawin on February 28, 1955 to Art and Nene Hidlebaugh, Doug was raised on the family farm south of Choiceland. As School President, he graduated from William Mason School in 1973; it was during his school years that he made the strongest relationships with a great group of friends. After graduation, Doug attended LP Miller Comprehensive School in Nipawin for a semester to take extra classes. With an impressive “set of pipes” he followed his passion and attended Lethbridge College, majoring in Radio Broadcasting.

After his first year, Doug was offered a job at CKBI Radio in Prince Albert. He became a familiar voice as Jack Cennon’s sidekick on the morning show. He was guest host and commentator on CKBI-TV’s “Coffee Break” with Marion Sherman. Moving on to the larger radio markets, Doug’s talent took him to CFCN in Calgary, but his heart was in Saskatchewan, and he returned to CKBI briefly before becoming the Morning Man on CKOM in Saskatoon. Doug’s smile was on every 7-11 coffee cup in the city. In 1982, Doug joined CKCK Radio in Regina. Although his passion was always on-air, Doug then tried the new venture of sales. In 1987 Doug joined CJVR in Melfort, opening a sales office in Nipawin. After 17 years with CJVR, Doug decided it was time to try something else and joined the team at Lakewood GM, but radio called him back Doug provided contract marketing services to CJNE Radio,Nipawin. For the past 9 years, he worked with CJWW, Cool 98.3 and the Bull 92.9 in Saskatoon, as northeastern Saskatchewan’s sales rep and local on-air remote voice.

As a founding member of the Saskatchewan Premier’s Walleye Cup, Doug was proud to welcome many Premiers to Nipawin/Tobin Lake for Saskatchewan’s longest running walleye fishing tournament. As Chairman for the Nipawin Great Northern Pike Festival, he tirelessly promoted Tobin and Codette Lakes, the fisheries, the conservation, the fun, and first and foremost, Tourism. Having worked in the Media for the majority of his career, Doug built strong ties with his peers from across Saskatchewan, transcending all different radio stations, television stations and newspapers. The Pike Festival Provincial Media Days were hosted by Doug every year in June. Media from across Saskatchewan and beyond joined together to golf Evergreen and Rolling Pines and fish Tobin, tagging the pike for the annual festival.

Promotions and planning was what he loved, always seeing a big picture with all of the small details intertwined to get the best benefit. A Nipawin Hawks fan from the beginning, Doug joined the team as Marketing Director for the first part of the 2014 season. When there were ping-pong balls with diamonds being dropped from the roof-tops in Nipawin, yellow ducks tossed off the Nipawin bridge, a Children’s Character parade of mascots going down the Main street, or a chainsaw contest in Carrot River, Doug was there as idea guy, promoter and MC.

As a sideline, the Doug Hidlebaugh Road Show Sound played 100’s of dances, including weddings & graduations. He loved to provide music and could get a crowd dancing.

Doug was the “glue” that held his family together. In 1975 he married Lori Eyre and had 3 children; Allison, Erin and Mike. Sadly, Allison passed away at birth and Lori passed away when Erin & Mike were young.

In 1990, Doug met Sherry Michalyca. As best friends, they were married in 1999 and added to their family with the birth of their daughter Andie. Doug Sherry and Andie were avid travelers across many parts of the world. Doug’s heart was in Scotland, the birth place of his war bride mother and oldest sister.

Doug leaves to mourn, his loving wife Sherry, daughter Erin (Corey) grandsons Liam & Lennon, son Mike, and young daughter Andie, His mum Nene, sisters Shirley (Jack) Hein, Lynn (Hugh) Ryan, brother Ken andthree generations of nieces and nephews, cousins and one aunt Betty Hidlebaugh. He was predeceased by his father Art.

Memorial donations may be made to the Doug Hidlebaugh Community Legacy Fund.

The Funeral Service will be held Wednesday, July 22, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. in the Evergreen Centre in Nipawin, SK.

The family placed their trust with Coventry Funeral Services, Nipawin SK 306-862-4233.