| Doug Fix waits at the back of the pack before the start of the
2004 Gladstone, Michigan, World Hunger 5K.
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Goodbye, Doug Fix
by Al Salmi
Doug Fix? Jim Fixx? Their link is ironic. Both men were first-rate runners. Both men were gifted writers. Both men died while running.
How does one capture the essence of their lives with a few feeble words? Especially words from a would-be writer and a back-of-the-pack runner?
Doug Fix, a running fixture in Delta County of Michigan's Upper Peninsula and at events around the country, died suddenly and unexpectedly while participating in the Lake Superior Shore Run, a half marathon in Marquette, Michigan, on Saturday, September 23, 2006. He was 61.
Doug was a retired English and journalism instructor at Escanaba High School. He was also an active member of the U.P. Road Runners Club and wrote a popular stream-of-consciousness column called
"Stretching It" for Running Amuck, the club newsletter.
His column for the September-October edition about the Keweenaw Trail Running Festival was so enthusiastic, it had to be published over two issues. The finale was scheduled for the November-December issue. I'm sure I'm not the only one holding my breath to see if it was already written well before the deadline. I'm betting it was. His close running partner and beloved daughter-in-law, Rachel Fix, the current
editor of Running Amuck, is the only one who knows for sure.
Doug, I'm sure, would be pleased to see his writing and his byline continue on. He's probably royally ticked off at not being able to register some pithy comments about that last race he was unable to finish.
In addition to being a gifted writer, Doug was a veteran of the Whistlestop, Mad City, Chicago, New York and Boston marathons. The latter he ran this year in a respectable time of 4:12:05.
Not too many runners are mistaken for Hulk Hogan. But Doug, with his signature white Fu Manchu, did resemble the famous professional wrestler. As a former U.P. Boxing Association coach and a Golden Glove fighter, Doug had a similar build as well.
But it was Doug's keen observations of others – his fellow runners and bystanders – at local running events that stirred readers. He liked to relay funny bits of conversations he had before and after races.
For example, he wrote about being among 15 runners of the 22nd annual Escanaba Slip Sliding Away race in his hometown last February. After his friend Mike Segorski said he was looking forward to the 23rd running of the event in 2007, Doug topped him by saying he looked forward to the 25th. Overhearing this, race director John Vrancic said, "Thanks." Doug, in his inimitable way, told John, "No, thank YOU!" I hope John will take a moment to remember this next February.
Doug always took in the whole experience – the snow, trees, creeks, birds and flowers – no matter the season. He especially enjoyed the ambience of large races and the post-race goodies. He liked to report chasing all those healthy snacks with a cheeseburger and a Guinness.
During a memorial service for Doug – held in the Escanaba Middle School Auditorium due to the large number of mourners – Bob Weismann, a friend of Doug's for 31 years, summed up how a lot of us saw him:
"He was mostly alone, but sometimes he ran with the pack. He was constantly changing and reinventing himself like a rock star. He never wanted to be predictable or caught."
Justin Gluesing, a former student and friend of Doug's, said, "He threw his heart into everything he did ... He believed in not doing a job, but loving a job ... not living life but loving life."
There is no doubt that Doug loved life and that he savored all this planet offered him.
He leaves behind his wife, Ann, of 38 years; sons David and Martin; granddaughters Emily, Sadie, Olivia and Ava; his father Herbert, brother Lee and sisters Vickie Schultz and Tina Whitney.
Rest in peace, Doug.
Al Salmi is vice president of the U.P. Road Runners Club.
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