Douglas A. Inman

Born a child of the Depression on March 7, 1931, Douglas Allen Inman was the youngest of seven children and the only son. As the baby of the family, he was largely raised by his oldest sisters while mother Hazel managed the household and father Alexander (Sandy) worked long hours at the Weyerhauser mill in hometown Everett, Washington. Doug graduated from Everett High School and soon joined the Air Force at the height of the Korean Conflict, serving non-combat tours in East Anglia, England and in support of the atomic weapons program in New Mexico. After his honorable discharge, he used the G.I. Bill to enter the University of Washington where he was surrounded by younger students who hadn’t served in the military. Within two years, he joined a few fellow pioneering students to form the first physical therapy class to graduate from UW. During this time, he also met the love of his life, another gritty, tough pioneer making her way through college on her own, Sharon Marie Koster. They were married June 29, 1957. Doug and Sharon immediately began a family and after a couple years in Wyoming, settled in Madison, Wisconsin where Doug was recruited to join the Physical Therapy department at the University hospital and earn his master’s degree. In time, Doug became Director of the Physical Therapy Department, then all of Rehab Medicine, and, after eighteen years with the University of Wisconsin, ventured on to other challenges, culminating in over two decades at Oak Forest Hospital in the Chicago metro area where he was responsible for leading dozens of departments, such as PT, OT, pharmacy, and so many others, including hundreds of staff in widely varying positions. Doug retired from his full and impactful career at 77 years young in 2008.

With the freedom of retirement Doug and Sharon were able to enjoy travel to visit family and experience wonderful adventures around the world. He would often be heard reminiscing about wine in Tuscany, the view from the Great Wall, and gorgeous ocean sunsets from ship decks and tropical lanais.

Doug loved to read, mostly about politics and history, and was a dedicated old-school liberal, embracing civil rights, women’s rights, and gender, racial, and sexual equality for all. He believed that everyone deserved to be loved, and it didn’t matter by whom. This, and his family, are his greatest legacies.

Doug is survived by a large and supportive family, now four generations deep. First and foremost is his loving wife Sharon, and then their four children and their spouses — Chris and Saville Inman, Marisa and Bob Skrodal, Andrea Inman, and Jeff and Lois Inman. Then there are many grandchildren and spouses or partners, plus their children: Erika and Andy Hollmier and their son Wyatt, Ian Downey and Erika Guerrero and their son Jasper, Emma and Kyle Cialdella and their children Kyler and Piper, Haakon and Sarah Skrodal and their soon to be son whose name is still a mystery to us, Scout Inman and her partner Victor Manzanilla and Victor’s son Roman, Call Inman and his partner Sophie Good, Ada Inman, Wilson Inman, Madison Inman and her partner Alex Bissonnette, Taylor Inman-Scott and Mackennan Inman- Scott.

Interment will be private and a celebration of Doug's live will take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the United Spinal Association (Illinois Chapter): P.O. Box 545, Palos Heights, IL 60463.