August 6, 1923– January 6, 2022
Funeral services for Dr. Philip “Doc” Salem, 98, of Selby were held Thursday, January 13, 2022 at the Family Worship Center in Mobridge. Burial was at the Glenham Cemetery.
“Doc” Salem died Thursday January 6, 2022 at Walworth County Care Center in Selby.
Philip was born on August 6, 1923 in Harding County to Mike Salem and Clara Louise (Heebner) Salem. He grew up working his father’s farm and tending sheep before joining the armed forces in 1944, and serving in France and Germany during WW II. After leaving the Army he attended Black Hills State University and then South Dakota State University in Brookings. Upon his graduation, he taught agriculture in Tyndall.
On January 1, 1954, he married DorisMae Coles in Timber Lake.
Philip graduated from the University of Minnesota School of Veterinary Medicine in 1961. While attending the University, he worked as a carpenter and took on odd jobs. Upon graduation, he took a position as veterinarian for the state of Idaho. He moved his family back to Minnesota and finally to Mobridge in 1963, where he raised his three children and established the Salem Veterinary Clinic with his wife and partner, DorisMae. He extended credit to all and if someone could not pay, he quietly wrote the bill off. If someone came years later to settle their bill, he told them to donate the money to their church.
He semi-retired from veterinary medicine by purchasing and working a piece of land outside Glenham raising Simmental cattle and a few Beefalo. He was a kind and generous man who always enjoyed growing a huge garden, fishing, singing hymns, Bible study, and spending time with family and friends.
Philip “Doc” Salem is survived by his three children: Roger Salem of Glenham, Ellen Salem of Denver, CO, and Karen Salem and her husband Andrew Kaczrowski of Alexandria, MN; and his brother Stephen Salem and wife Hilda of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
He was preceded in death by his wife, DorisMae; his siblings, Dr. Harold Salem, Dr. Calvin Salem, and Mary Louise Freed; and his parents.
Memorials can be made to Christian Worship Hour of Aberdeen or the charity of choice.