Douglas Friggstad

Grief settled over Doug's family on December 13 when he experienced a sudden failure of heart and lungs. Efforts by many Saskatoon health care workers were unable to fully revive him. He lingered comatose for about a week at RUH, while the Saskatchewan Transplant Program tried in vain for some of his organs to be used for others. He died, age 63 on December 20.

As the 7th and last child to be born into the Frontier, SK Friggstad family, Doug was effectively and affectionally raised by many siblings helping parents Carol and Olaf. After school in Frontier, Doug trained in Mechanical Engineering Technology at SIAST, Saskatoon, returning to Frontier to become part of Friggstad Manufacturing Ltd, recently established on the family farm. Brother Terry was the designer, Doug the drafter, as new products were brought to market. When the company fell on hard times and sold to Flexi-Coil, Doug was among those to re-locate and join the R&D group in Saskatoon. Doug showed a keen interest in the CAD software systems as well as the software that drove them. Over many years he became a self-taught Software Developer and created many programs that help various software programs to coordinate and "speak to each other". When Flexi-Coil was sold to CHN Industrial, the need to coordinate software increased substantially. In this much larger organization Doug reported to others in many parts of the world. This required that he be available at all hours so he worked at home for decades. Much of his work time was in the wee hours. Married twice, but single again, Doug moved into Parkville Manor in 2023 where he found good friends, good food and opportunity to explore the MVA trails, often walking many miles a day. Although he kept very different hours from all his new but retired friends, he thrived at Parkville. His siblings observe that his 2 years at Parkville were exceptionally good for him.

Doug was preceded in death by his parents Carol and Olaf Friggstad and oldest brother Dave (Shirley). He is survived by siblings Obert (Connie), Terry (Dawn), Audrey (Dan Hagen), Lorne (Janice), Sharon (Howie Groth), as well as 21 nieces/nephews and 33 great nieces/nephews.  

Doug was 9+ years older than his nephews who remember him as the "Cool Uncle" who drove a cool El-Camino and was happy to engage them in his cool older world. His nieces remember him as a loving uncle with a huge heart. Doug enjoyed many pastime activities like good times with a very diverse group of friends, hot rods, golf, anything related to computers, MVA trail hikes, travel, helping his friends and neighbours and solving very complex software programs while the world around him slept.

Arrangements are in care of Saskatoon Funeral Home where memories can be shared or condolences made. Memorial donations may be made to a charity of choice. The family is planning a memorial service in April/May, details to follow in April.