Born in Grand Rapids on August 25, 1942, Doug was an accomplished musician, orchestral conductor, and music educator. While still a student, Doug was named Principal Trumpet of the Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra, a position he held throughout most of the 1960s, before serving as the orchestra’s Associate Conductor from 1976-85. He also served as Principal Conductor of the Grand Rapids Ballet from 1978-98 and Principal Conductor of the Alma Symphony Orchestra from 1985-2002. Over the course of his career Mr. Scripps also conducted and taught thousands of students at colleges in the Grand Rapids area (196781), Central Michigan University (1981-84), and as Professor of Music at Alma College (1985-2003), where upon retirement he was named Professor Emeritus.

Doug held degrees from Calvin College and the University of Michigan and also studied at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY and the University of Music and Dramatic Art in Vienna, Austria, where he studied under and was mentored by Leonard Bernstein. In 1998 he returned to his beloved Vienna as a visiting professor and made multiple visits in his retirement years to Austria, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia to teach and conduct.

Doug is survived by his wife Merilee, whom he married at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Grand Rapids on April 5, 1975, and with whom he celebrated 50 years of marriage earlier this year. After a lifetime of cherished visits to northern Leelanau

1942 ~ 2025

County, they moved full-time to Northport in retirement, where Doug was elected twice as Leelanau Township Supervisor, serving from 2012-2020. He was also active with the Northport Performing Arts Center and the Northport Community Band, serving in leadership roles for both organizations and continuing as an active band member until shortly before his death.

In addition to his wife Merilee, Mr. Scripps is survived by his children Adam (Mary) Scripps of Ada, MI; Dan ( Jamie) Scripps of Northport, MI; Elisabeth Blue of Shorewood, WI; Kimberly (Roger) Evans of Strasburg, PA; Taylor (Dawn) Scripps of Howell, MI; and Theo (Dawna) Scripps of Mt. Juliet, TN. To the younger generation he was affectionately known as “Greenpop,” and he took great joy in grandchildren Anna Scripps, Brendan Scripps, Brooke Evans, Denelle (Lewis) Brice, Duncan (Taylor) Blue, Dylan Evans, Eleanor (Logan McIntosh) Scripps, Jack Scripps, Ky Scripps, Margaret ( Jacob) Scripps-Matchuny, Nicol Scripps, Noah Scripps, Owen Scripps, and Stuart (Yuyu) Blue, as well as great-granddaughters Ophelia Evans and Rhaelynn Brice and dear family friend Hope Weist. He is also survived by his brothers Bill Scripps and Rich Scripps. His parents Kenneth “Ky” Witvoet and Marguerite Rottier Scripps preceded him in death, as did brother Kenneth “Mike” Scripps and nephew Josh Scripps.

In addition to his devotion to family, his service to the Northport community, and the many musicians and students he inspired throughout his life, Doug will be remembered for his deep intellectual curiosity and his enjoyment of life’s little pleasures. A lifelong student of history and true bibliophile, he was most at home in his study or the Leelanau Township Library — surrounded by books, reading, writing, and enjoying the day’s newspapers. He was both a passionate sailor and an avid train traveler, cherishing time on the waters of Lake Michigan and the North Channel and embarking on rail journeys across the United States and Europe. A proud supporter of the University of Michigan, he also enjoyed biking around town, taking daily summer swims in Northport Bay, and gathering with loved ones for shared meals—especially when they included breakfast pastries or ice cream! His warmth, enthusiasm, and generous spirit – as well as his booming voice – left a lasting impression on all who knew him.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 31, 2025, at the Northport Performing Arts Center auditorium in Northport. Cremation has taken place.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Northport Performing Arts Center, Northport Community Band, Grand Rapids Ballet, or Alma College.

Please share condolences and memories with the family at www.martinson.info.

Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Leelanau.