Dr. Michelle Oakley Remembers Her Father, Stephen Plantinga, Through Reflections and Ongoing Work in the Yukon

Nearly six years have passed since the passing of Stephen R. Plantinga, father of wildlife veterinarian Dr. Michelle Oakley. A household name through Nat Geo Wild’s Dr. Oakley, Yukon Vet, Michelle has become known for her commitment to treating animals in some of the most remote and challenging environments in North America. Beyond the camera, she balances her clinical work with public outreach, education, and mentoring young veterinarians. While she no longer posts public tributes, past statements from Dr. Oakley emphasized how her father’s empathy, humor, and encouragement influenced her approach to veterinary work. These values were especially evident in her 2019 tribute, where she described how his words and outlook continue to motivate her daily.

Stephen Plantinga passed away on November 1, 2018, at age 76 in Schererville, Indiana. He was a former CEO and a longtime resident of the Calumet region. He is survived by his wife Georgia Plantinga (née Samblis), his children Scott and Michelle, and seven grandchildren, including Sierra, Maya, and Willow Oakley.

Shortly after his passing in November 2018, Dr. Oakley reflected on her father’s enduring influence, writing:

“There is no doubt my dad was a tough guy, but he also had a kind, gentle heart and great sense of humor… so many people have remembered his laugh, and I love that is what I remember most now too.”

On the one-year anniversary of his passing in 2019, Dr. Oakley expanded on that sentiment in another public post. She recalled, “I can hear his empathetic ‘Awwww’ at every touching animal moment– and I hear myself doing it all the time now, too.”

She further explained how his memory continues to guide her daily:

“It gets me up every day, it gets me to try again when I screw up, and it makes me want to find the happy & funny side of life even when we are feeling broken-hearted.”

Together, these posts offer insight into how her father’s compassion and humor continue to shape her personal outlook and professional approach.

In a lighthearted post from 2017, well before her public tribute, Dr. Oakley hinted at her deep regard for fatherhood with the words: “All of you good dads or that have good dad… get ready to puddle up!” Though brief, the message reflected her enduring appreciation for the emotional bonds between fathers and their children—a theme that would later take center stage in her more personal reflections.

Stephen’s son, Scott Plantinga, who now resides in Huntington Beach, California, also expressed his feelings publicly in a 2024 post, simply writing, “Miss you dad!”—a brief but heartfelt acknowledgment that his father’s memory continues to resonate within the family.

Following Stephen’s passing, Nat Geo Wild dedicated an episode of Dr. Oakley, Yukon Vet in his memory. In her post, Dr. Oakley thanked the network and shared, “He has been so proud of our show and I know he will be smiling down watching with us.”

Dr. Oakley continues her practice today across rural and remote parts of the Yukon, delivering veterinary care to both domestic and wild animals.