Phillip David Creighton

Phillip (Phil) David Creighton, 79, passed away on September 16th, 2024.

Phil was born on June 18th, 1945, to Daniel K. Creighton and Dorothy Patterson Creighton in Irwin, Pennsylvania.

He was at peace, passing away at his summer home in Timnath, Colorado, with his wife Leigh and daughter Natalie by his side.

Phil was a special person and a man of outstanding character. His dedication and work ethic lead to an extraordinary career in Higher Education. Dr. Phil Creighton attended the United States Air Force Academy before transferring to Tarkio College in Missouri, where he earned his bachelor's degree in 1966. He received a master's degree from Colorado State University in 1970, and his doctorate in biology from CSU in 1974. After a teaching career at Towson State University in Maryland, he assumed the role of Provost and Vice President of academic affairs at Salisbury State University, also, in Maryland. He became President at Eastern Oregon University in LaGrande, Oregon from 1999-2003.

President Emeritus, Dr. Phil Creighton, served as President of Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon from 2003-2009. He oversaw a six-year period growth that transformed this institution from a small Liberal Arts college into one of the region's top comprehensive Universities. Under Dr. Creighton's leadership, six new buildings transformed the existing campus. A new Athletic Complex opened in 2008, becoming the home to Football, Baseball, Softball, Soccer, Lacrosse, and Track and Field, energizing team sports for the Pacific Boxers and the community. Dr. Creighton's legacy of his tenure is in Pacific's Hillsboro, Oregon's Campus, which includes health professions graduate programs in partnership with OHSU Medical Center, in Portland, Oregon. This building opened in 2006 and, upon his retirement, was named Creighton Hall.

Upon retirement, Phil and his wife Leigh split time between homes in Arizona and Colorado. Together, Phil and Leigh, both avid birders, spent many retirement hours traveling the USA searching for species to check off on their Life List.

Dr. Phil Creighton is survived by his wife Leigh Creighton, his daughter Natalie Stewart, his son David Creighton, his brother Douglas Creighton, and his sister Sally Huruska. Phil is a proud and loving Grandfather of four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Nicknamed "Dr. Phil" by his many students and colleagues he will be remembered and deeply missed. He was admired and had a lasting impact on so many people and he has left this a better place for being part of our lives.