Phillip James Tichenor died March 12, 2025, Crosby Minn.

Phil was born on July 31, 1931, in Sparta, Wisconsin.

The son of Victor and Esther (Wegner) Tichenor, he grew up on a small farm near Sparta and graduated from Sparta High School in 1947. Following high school, he worked as a farm hand for his brother for a year, after which time he gained admission to the University of Wisconsin (Madison), graduating with a degree in rural sociology and journalism in 1951.

Philip was commissioned, through ROTC, into the U.S. Army as a 2nd Lieutenant following his graduation. He served in the Toul-Nancy region of France in a combat engineering company.

Following his tour in the army, Philip rejoined the college academic environment gaining a master’s degree, writing and publishing agriculture-related science articles, and ultimately earning a doctorate degree from Stanford University.

Phil and Eileen Woodworth were married in Shamrock, Wisconsin, on June 16, 1956. Following the marriage, they settled in Falcon Heights, and later Shoreview.

Phil was a professor at the University of Minnesota, in both the departments of rural sociology and journalism. He published many books and articles in the fields of mass communication, public opinion, rural sociology and science writing. He also co-authored as part of a triumvirate that produced and patented the Knowledge Gap Thesis.

Phil was preceded in death by his parents, first wife Eileen and second wife Joan (née Donaghy).

Phil is survived by daughter Lani (Bob) Beall; sons Terry (LeAnn) and Michael (Becky); stepsons Randall (Karen) and Jon (Rachel) Huyck, 17 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.