Dennis P. McDougall, 65 years young, a 30-plus-years Idyllwild resident, passed away Wednesday, September 13, 2023 at Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage.

He was born Feb. 27, 1958, to Cecil L. McDougall and Carabel E. McDougall in Van Nuys. He has a sister, Donna Palmerton who lives in Estes Park, Colorado and a brother, Donald McDougall, who passed early in life.

Dennis was an exceptional archaeologist for more than three decades, having held positions of increasing responsibility with INFOTEC Research, then Applied Earthworks, and finally PaleoWest. First as a field technician and later as crew chief, field director, data analyst and report author, Dennis contributed to archaeological projects, large and small, in the Pacific Northwest and California, especially in the Inland Empire and the Mojave and Colorado deserts.

He was eminently reliable, ethical, a gifted field work supervisor, mentor and astute author whose findings enhanced our knowledge of both pre-contact and historic peoples of inland Southern California. Dennis also cultivated close relationships with Native Americans wherever he worked and was a trusted friend of many tribal members.

He enjoyed sports and outdoor activities of all kinds but his favorite was long-range fishing trips. He also enjoyed being a member of the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society.

Dennis and Joyce E. McDougall married in April 2018. His wife said he was the love of her life and she misses him dearly. He touched so many people’s hearts and could always make people smile and laugh.

There will be an open house Celebration of Life from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19, at the Idyllwild Town Hall.