"I cared very much for Phil and will miss our time together. I helped with house work and we shared many wonderful conversations. I am thankful I knew him and will pray for Barbara, Deb and the family. Leigh Beck"
In loving memory of
Philip R. Albright
June 25, 1932 - January 25, 2021
Philip R. Albright died peacefully on Monday, January 25, 2021 at Meadowood Senior Living in Worcester, PA. He was 88 years old.
Born in Evanston, IL, Phil was the son of the late Franklin and Ruth (nee Rising) Albright.
After receiving a degree in Civil Engineering from Stanford University, he worked in California designing wastewater treatment facilities. He subsequently specialized in Fire Protection Engineering, having served as a Fire Protection Engineer for Lockheed Missiles and Space Co. Phil completed his career as a partner with Weeks-Worthington and Company. After retiring, Phil held a number of volunteer leadership positions with a variety of non-profit organizations and earned an Associates in Science Degree in Horticulture & Landscape Design from Temple University, graduating in 1986. Phil served as a First Lieutenant in the United States Army, honorably discharged in 1963.
One of Phil's favorite roles was that of Playing Santa Claus for over twenty years at day care centers and nursery schools. He frequently said "I just enjoy working with kids!" He certainly enjoyed the time he had with his five grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
Phil and his wife Barbara have been actively involved in many organizations throughout the years. In 2018, while working with the Temple University Ambler Arboretum, Albright said, "You have to find something that you believe in and be willing to put in the time. I think if you have the time, talent, and means, you can and should have a valuable and significant impact on your community." Some of the organizations he worked with include: Wissahickon Valley Public Library, Rotary Club of Ambler, First Presbyterian Church of Ambler, Inter-Faith of Ambler, Kelly Anne Dolan Memorial Fund, Ambler Theatre & Act 2 Playhouse, Ambler Area YMCA, Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association (Wissahickon Trails), Presbyterian Children's Village, Temple University Philadelphia & Ambler Campus (including the Arboretum Advisory Committee), Carson Valley School, Alzheimer's Association, Montgomery County Lands Trust, and Mattie Dixon Community Cupboard.
Phil is survived by his beloved wife, Barbara (nee Fleer) Albright. He was the loving father of Deborah Johnson and her husband Rich of Newtown Square, PA. He was preceded in death by his son, the late Arthur P. Albright in 2018 and his brothers Franklin, Jr. and Thomas; and was the father in law of Arthur's wife Cindy Hurst of Saratoga Springs, NY and former wife Barbara J. Peckham of St. Augustine, FL. He was the proud grandfather of Philip and Kathryn (Jeff) Albright, Brad (Sarah), Kyle (Brittany) and Kurt Johnson and great grandfather of four.
Memorial donations to the Alzheimer's Association, www.alz.org, or any of the previously mentioned organizations would be appreciated.
Funeral Services will be held privately by the family.
Tributes and photos may be shared at www.UrbanFuneralHome.com
Tributes
"Phil gave so much of himself to our community and to our organization - Wissahickon Trails (formerly Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association) - his time, intellect, humor, and heart. He joined our board in 2003-2012, serving as Chairman from 2008-2010, and chairing our Advisory Committee from 2012-2019. He was an instrumental leader in many of our land protection projects, such as the recent Cheston Family Preserve and past preservation of the Wissahickon Waterfowl Preserve, and he was passionate about engaging and educating the next generation about the value of the environment. Most recently, he helped plan and launch a capital project to improve the Four Mills Barn and he was active and instrumental in this work right up until his illness. He will be remember by our board and staff, not only for his contributions to our mission, but also for the way he made people feel. Phil had a way of making people feel seen and valued. He was one of a kind. I Have attached a photo of Phil volunteering as "grill master" at our annual Creek Cleanup Event."
"Phil was an example of a life well lived and I am grateful to Ambler Rotary for allowing me to know him in person instead of just on the many many plaques on things around Ambler Phil had a part of supporting. He was a true example of service above self and giving generously. Diane Schueler"
"Phil is the reason that I?m working at the Wissahickon Valley Library. He took over running the library after fellow Rotarian and former library director Dave Roberts passed away. He asked our shared insurance agent Bob Longley for suggestions and Bob contacted me. I interviewed with Phil and I just knew I wanted to work for him. He served on the library board for 12 years and was our largest donor. I ?m thankful that he got to see photos of the newly named Barbara and Phillip Albright Community Room at the newly renovated Ambler Library. No matter what we needed, advice, help fundraising or money itself to further the mission of the library, Phil was there. If you got to know Phil, you wanted to spend more time with him. I really enjoyed taking him out to lunch a few times and visiting him at Meadowwood with kielbasa and sauerkraut and having a beer. He was the only real mentor that I have ever had in my work life. As a woman, sometimes you feel dismissed by men in power, but Phil was an ally. He was kind and understanding, but yet very strong. He would give you his honest opinion, but he would continue to support you, even if he disagreed. Phil was wiling to share, after telling him my mother had breast cancer, he shared that he had it too. He really listened and made you feel heard. He always wanted to know about you and your work and family. Phil got me involved in Rotary. He would would invite everyone he got to know, to join in community service with him. I wonder if he spent more hours working each week during his career, or if he spent more time working in his community service roles after retirement. I was always amazed at how many boards he assisted. When he served on the library board, he didn?t just serve as President, he joined the Governor?s advisory council on libraries and the Citizens for Better libraries. He was a leader and role model that dove deep into the organizations that he supported to help them advance their services to the community. I?ll end by saying that I?ve never met anyone so devoted to making the lives of people in his community better. I?ve never met a better man. "