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Frederick S. Phillips

Born: January 18, 1930
Passed: September 14, 2011
Funeral Home: Ralph J Wittich-Riley-Freers Funeral Home
Frederick S. Phillips MONUMENT, Colorado -- Frederick S. Phillips, Sr., 81, of Monument, Colorado, passed away on Wednesday, September 14, 2011. Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, September 21, 2011, at the First United Methodist Church, 420 N. Nevada Ave., Colorado Springs. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Fred's name to Tri-Lakes Cares in Monument, Colo. Fred was born on January 18, 1930, in Muscatine, the son of Sherwood and Ruth Vetter Phillips. He graduated from Muscatine High School in 1947, where he starred as the center on the varsity basketball team. He then attended the University of Illinois, where in 1951 he received his bachelor's degree and Air Force commission through the ROTC program. He was also a proud member of the Sigma Rho chapter of Beta Theta Pi fraternity. In addition, Fred received his MBA from George Washington University in 1964. In 1950, while working in Estes Park, Colorado, his family's summer home, during a summer break from college, Fred met the love of his life and best friend, Patricia 'Pat' Graham, at the historic Dark Horse Bar. They were married on October 21, 1950, and shared 61 wonde...[more]

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l years together, living in many locations throughout the U.S. and the world, including Colorado Springs and three exciting, adventurous years in Germany. Fred retired from the Air Force in 1979, as a colonel after a distinguished 28-year career which included a tour of duty in Korea during the Korean War and assignments in the Pentagon. In 1979, Fred was awarded the highly-prestigious Legion of Merit in honor of his exemplary service in defense of our nation. After retirement from the Air Force, Fred continued his professional career as an executive with Unisys Corp., living in Plymouth, Michigan, and Great Falls, Virginia. He was a well-respected leader and regular member of the Chairman's Club throughout his 13 years of service. Tired of navigating the Beltway and numerous airports, in 1992, he retired and moved to his beloved state of Colorado. Fred was amazingly active throughout his retirement with a variety of hobbies (golf, fishing, travel) and involvement with numerous philanthropic and service organizations. He was an active, enthusiastic member of both Kiwanis and Sertoma, and regularly cheered on the Fighting Falcons of the U.S. Air Force Academy as a member of the Blue and Silver Club. Fred enjoyed the "Old West" and as a youth had attended camp and learned to hunt in Montana. His favorite hobby, however, was definitely playing golf, and he did it quite well -- maintaining a U.S. Golf Association handicap index of 18 at age 81! His real love of the game, however, was the camaraderie and fellowship he experienced with his many golfing buddies. Fred is survived by his beloved wife, Pat Phillips; five children: Kristy McNeil and husband, Roger, of Iron Mountain, Michigan, Sally Hazlett and husband, Sam, of Monument, Colorado, Fred Phillips Jr. and wife, Martha, of Sunnyvale, Texas, Ann Keller and husband, Rod, of Orina, California, and Paul Phillips and wife, Leslie, of Lake Orion, Michigan; eight grandchildren, Ben McNeil, Beth McNeil, Scott Hazlett and wife, Sarah, Kristen Hazlett, Gillian Keller, Trey Phillips, Rick Phillips, Wesley Phillips; one great-granddaughter, Eleanor Hazlett; his loving sisters, Suzanne Hirsch and husband, Herb, of Largo, Florida, and Martha Whitmore and husband, Jim, of Evergreen, Colorado.

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Ralph J Wittich-Riley-Freers Funeral Home
Muscatine, IA 52761
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