McKinley Phelps Obituary

Doc Red or Junior as he was known in his younger days, passed away on November 21, 2023 at the age of 92. He was born to McKinley Phelps Sr. and Frances Armstrong Phelps in rural Mancos, Colorado on April, 22 1931. He spent some of his early years in Mancos and then moved to Pueblo in the early 40s due to his dad's work. In 1948 he moved back to the Lebanon area where his parents bought a farm. He attended high school in Dolores. One of the highlights of his life was working for some of the old McElmo Canyon ranchers including the Halls and Zwickers which he had a lifelong friendship with. His work ethic was daunting.

Red had a full life, attending early Fort Lewis College then on to veterinary school where he graduated. Then on to medical school at Colorado State University where he graduated with a doctor's degree specializing in anesthesiology. He did internships in Utah and Arizona. He started the anesthesiology department at the old Colorado General Hospital and moved to Albuquerque to start and practice in a medical group in the early 1970s. In the middle of all that he spent time in Wales and the Netherlands. He worked and practiced for a short time at Fort Defiance, AZ for the Department of Health, and he served as a reservist in the Coast Guard.

Red was married to Rosemary Robinson in November of 1955 and had two sons with her, Carl and Preston. He and Rosemary were later divorced. Later in life he married Aafke Gorter of Amsterdam whom he had met while doing doctoral work there.

Red had a great love of the arts, owning quite a few paintings and pieces of art, some of which he even moved to Amsterdam when he decided to retire. He passed away there with his spouse Aafke and her son David by his side.

Red was preceded in death by his parents Frances and McKinley; brothers Robert and Frank; and sisters Evelyn, Bonnie and Laura. He is survived by his sons Carl and Preston; his wife Aafke and her sons David and Walter; his brothers Roland and Fred; sisters Ann and Dorothy; numerous nieces, nephews and grandchildren; plus his lifelong friends from Albuquerque.

Doc Red had such a full life it is hard to list his accomplishments, but he will be greatly missed. He so enjoyed the simple things of life, especially his family. There will be a memorial sometime next spring at the Mancos Cedar Grove Cemetery.