Douglas “Doug” Giebel, 89, of Big Sandy, Montana, passed away at his home in late July,

2026. He left behind a remarkable legacy as an educator, theater director, actor, writer, historian

and lifelong advocate for the arts.

Born October 27th 1936 in Newark New Jersey, Doug's family moved to Big Sandy shortly

after where Doug was raised. Doug was the only child of Ed Giebel and Fern Cushman

(Giebel). Doug was the nephew of Big Sandy writer Dan Cushman. Doug's imagination was

nurtured by devoted parents, books, music and movies. As a child he staged backyard circuses.

As a young man he discovered theater.

He cherished seeing touring productions of Oklahoma! and Kiss Me, Kate, hearing Louis

Armstrong perform, and discovering Walter Van Tilburg Clark’s The Ox-Bow Incident, a novel

that would later lead to an enduring friendship with its author. He believed those moments

quietly shaped the course of his life, and he pursued his passion through a lifetime of teaching

and performance.

After graduating from Big Sandy High School, Doug enlisted in the US Army. He attended the

University of Montana, Boston University, and later San Francisco State University, where he

earned advanced degrees. He taught English, speech, writing, and theater in Opheim, Scobey,

Havre, Concord high school (California), San Francisco State (California), Chabot College

(California), St. Mary's high school (California), Lake Erie College (Ohio), Montana State

University-Northern, and Great Falls College MSU. In San Francisco, Doug was founding

artistic director of the successful Julian theater.

Since Doug was a young age he dreamed of living in the Big Apple, so after San Franscisco he

moved to New York City, where he directed and performed children’s theater, taking Montana

talent to audiences far from home, and built friendships that endured for decades. Yet

for all the excitement of city life, family eventually called him home. In 1988, Doug returned to

Big Sandy to care for his mother, a decision he never regretted. Caring for her became one of

the defining responsibilities of his later life.

Throughout his career, he directed numerous stage productions and inspired generations of

students with his enthusiasm, creativity and encouragement.

Doug also had a deep appreciation for Montana history and community. During Montana’s 1989

Statehood Centennial, he served in public affairs, helping organize memorable events that

celebrated the state’s heritage, including a reunion for Montana veterans and a gathering of

Montanans in New York City’s Central Park.

Those who knew Doug remember him as an engaging storyteller whose conversations ranged

effortlessly from literature and theater to history, photography, music and the people who shaped

his life. Doug was known for conversations that rarely stayed on one subject. A simple question

might lead to memories of hometown hardware stores, Broadway musicals, jazz clubs, ancient

Greek drama, favorite poems or the people he loved and admired. He possessed an extraordinary

memory, a quick wit and an endless curiosity that made every conversation an adventure.

He believed deeply in the power of education, the importance of curiosity, and the lasting value

of friendship. Doug’s life contained achievements, disappointments, friendships, missed

opportunities and unexpected second acts. He spoke honestly about all of them. He believed one

should take good advice when it is offered, remain curious, and understand that every life

contains turns that cannot be predicted. "As we grow older, we are haunted less by what we have

done, than by what we failed to do, whether through lack of courage, or inattention, or

insufficient readiness to cast caution to the winds." While not an overtly religious man, Doug

believed in a higher power, and had confidence that he would be reunited with his parents in the

spiritual realm.

Of all he experienced, Doug was most grateful for his parents and for the remarkable people who

became his friends, teachers, mentors, students and fellow performers. He remembered

professors who invited him into their homes, artists who trusted him, students whose lives

touched his own and friendships that endured across many decades.

As an actor, storyteller, and teacher, Doug often gave this advice to students and himself when

facing struggle and anxiety:

“This isn’t the end of the world. It’s just practice.”

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to any art program that supports student learning in the

arts.