Douglas Eugene Hicks, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, passed away peacefully on November 9, 2025, at the age of 75. Doug lived a life full of kindness, commitment to his community, DIY determinaon, and campfire stories.

Doug is survived by his wife, Susan Schonfeld; his daughters Ilana Callender (husband Richard Callender) and Meredith Hicks (husband Adam Gerhardstein); and his cherished grandchildren, Maja, Julius, and Phoenix. He is also survived by his sisters, Barbara Young and Charlotte Silvia, and his brother, David Hicks.

A man of many passions, and even more projects, Doug found joy at the tiller of a sailboat, playing with his grandkids, and unveiling his latest (and likely short-lived) homemade dock at his lake property in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. He loved the Boundary Waters, and was the goodsport companion of his wife on the many trips she planned to different parts of the world.

Doug was actve in his community. He had a long and distinguished career as a crime analyst with the Minneapolis Police Department and was a devoted group leader at First Universalist Church. He found joy sailing and spending time with his fellow sailors at the Lake Wissota Yacht Club.

Doug was deeply devoted to his family. December 28th would have been his fiftieth wedding anniversary. His grandchildren will remember him as the greatest tickle monster and prankster in the world, always instigating mischief and hijinks. His daughters will always feel his presence as they navigate the Boundary Waters. His favorite place in the world was the lake house he built—a retreat with room for all his projects and a special place to gather with his loved ones and eat his favorite medicine—ice cream.

He will also be missed by those strolling the alleyways in the Seward neighborhood, from which he reliably collected items some would call junk, but he would call possibilities. In many facets of life, he could see potential where others saw little.

Doug’s memorial service will be held on January 10, 2026 at 2:00 PM with a visitation one hour prior, located at First Universalist Church, 3400 Dupont Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55408 and will be livestreamed at https://firstuniversalistchurch.org/.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family requests donations to the Friends of the Boundary Waters or Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

We will miss you, Doug