Douglas J. Kivisto
Douglas J. Kivisto
Douglas John Kivisto passed away peacefully at his home in Eagle, Idaho on June 2, 2014 following a 5 year battle
with a neurodegenerative disorder called CBD.
Doug was born July 19, 1939 to Eino and Vieno Kivisto and joined his
brother Ronald to spend his youth in Negaunee, Michigan. Doug married Kylock Bellant in 1960. They had two children - Doug Jr. of Lansing,
Michigan, and Kimberly of Elmhurst, Illinois.
Doug and Kylock were later
divorced.
Doug was the son of a Finnish miner and as a young boy
watched a mine development project in his home town. This interest in heavy civil construction
never diminished throughout his life.
Doug graduated from Michigan Tech with a degree in civil
engineering. He joined Morrison-Knudsen
Co., Inc. (MK) and held numerous project
management roles throughout his 30+ year career. His favorite MK work assignment location was
on the island of Oahu. The tropical
climate was a dream come true for a boy that grew up in the cold climate of the
Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
One of Doug's most
memorable project assignments was in Somalia and he told interesting stories of
the people he encountered and the challenges of getting the construction completed
there. From 2001 until 2009, Doug worked as an
engineering/construction consultant for Zurich Surety. He specialized in assessing troubled construction
projects and managing their completion.
Doug met Carol Watson at the corporate office of MK in 1989
and this meeting resulted in a loving relationship, partnership, and
marriage. They shared so many things -
work, travel, families and friends. Even
though their careers and work locations often put oceans between them, their
love for each other never wavered. They
built a retirement home in Eagle, Idaho in 2002 and discovered the joy of finally having a home of their own to
share.
Doug was preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include his wife, Carol; son,
Douglas Jr.; daughter, Kimberly (Christos);
brother, Ronald (Charlene); grandson (Erik); great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. He leaves behind a large contingent of
Carol's siblings and their extended families who came to know and love him.
It was Doug's wishes that no formal or public services be
held. A private memorial will be held
later this year when Doug's ashes are scattered off the coast of Honolulu,
HI.
A special thank you to the staff of Heart N Home Hospice for
providing not only medical care but special kindness to Doug.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Douglas J. Kivisto, please visit our flower store.
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