Robert Madison Phillips
Robert “Bob” Madison Phillips, 78, passed peacefully on Saturday March 14, 2015 in St. Louis, MO.
Born in Bluefield, WV to Neubert Johnson & Edith Mary Phillips, Bob is survived by his loving wife Jane Kaye (Bird) Phillips, daughter Amy Lynn (Phillips) Alderton (Ben), brother Neubert Clayton Phillips (Beulah) and brother Richard Anderson Phillips. Bob will be fondly remembered further by surviving family members and wonderful friends who shared his life.
Following graduation from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) as a mechanical engineer in 1958, Bob joined Union Carbide Corporation in Charleston, WV managing projects. He soon found love with Jane and they happily married in 1967. Several years later their lives were brightened when they adopted Amy and became a family. Throughout Bob’s life he drew great happiness from fishing, gardening and appreciation of music. Through his 35 year career with Union Carbide, Bob and his family traveled to many parts of the world making close friends along the way. Upon Bob’s retirement, he joined BE&K Engineering in Mobile, AL for some time. He and Jane then made their retirement home in Cumming, GA where he reignited his interest in painting and became active with the Parkinson’s Disease Association. Bob and Jane recently moved to St. Louis where they were excited to join their daughter and son-in-law.
A memorial gathering and celebration of his life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Parkinson’s Disease Association or Virginia Tech Alumni Association, College of Engineering.
Dear Jane and Amy: We will remember Bob as a great down hill skier who shared his love of the sport with us. And thank you both for wonderful memories. God bless and console you and the extended family in your loss.
Dear Jane, Amy and Ben. I want to express my deepest sympathies for your loss. Bob was a wonderful gentle man. In all the years I knew him, I never saw him angry or in a bad mood. Our ski trip to Calgary is one of my fondest memories. We will all miss him. God bless you. We love you and will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Dan, Lora, Kristin, Daniel
Jane,
sad to hear of bob’s passing. we enjoyed working and living in Charleston. best wishes!
Barbara and Webb Arceneaux
I just sent you a letter, but wanted you to know that I cried looking at these pictures. Such happy memories of our time together in Cumming, GA, and fun painting with Bob. I always thought he was talented, and we could all see the “engineer” in his pen and ink works. Please come see me sometime Jane. I would love for you to visit or call me anytime! I love you, Jill
Dear Jane, Amy, Ben. I am so sad. I send you my deepest condolences, and the condolences from Uncle Luigi, which I express for him. I remember as yesterday when the two spoke on Skype from my office. Luigi was so happy after that call, and had so warm feelings for Bob. He felt him as a brother. Physical distance is no barrier for souls: they will surely keep exchanging their feelings, whenever and wherever they will go
Jane, We were so sorry to learn of Bobs passing. He was such a happy and gracious person and a pleasure to talk with. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers and extend our condolences to you and your family. God has truly blessed us with your friendship.
Dear Jane,
We fondly remember your and Bob’s friendliness when we first came to Sunday School class. And we remember Bob’s willingness to serve in any way that he physically could. You will continue to be close in our hearts and prayers for strength and comfort during this time of great loss.
God’s blessings, Jan and Paul
What wonderful pictures and fabulous memories. Bob touched so many lives. We are all better for having him in our lives. Love, Karen
To my very special friend, Jane, and their daughter. I remember so vividly that you and Bob made me feel so welcome as we moved to Cumming during another relocation. We had so many laughs and visits. Sweet memories of Bob will become treasures in all our lives. We love you guys and have kept you close in my heart. Grace, peace and His Love, Hazel and Bill Walker
Dear Amy and Jane, we want to send you both our deepest condolences. I won´t ever forget the short time I spent with him and you all on the mountains in Colorado.
Keep the very good moments you spent with him and treasure it. Now, you have a new ANGEL who takes care of you two!! from heaven.
God bless you!
Love,
The Venegas Family
Jane, I was saddened to see Bob’s name in today’s paper. I wish we could turn back the clock to the days when our girls were in the St. Albans Jr. High band. You were such a force when raising funds for the kids to have props and uniforms and trips in order to compete. And Bob was the quiet and supportive husband and dad. Amy, I am so sorry for the loss of your wonderful father. Dennis and I pray your memories will give you smiles and peace.
Jane and Amy, We were so sorry to hear about Bob. We have some wonderful memories of our time together in Canada.
Please know that you are in our prayers.Sending our love and hugs.
Dianne and Carl deAndrade
Dear Jane and Amy: I am sadden to hear this news. Bob has now “graduated” to a better place. As you know, your family and my family have had many great times together during our travels in Rome, Italy and Antwerp, Belgium for about three years. Bob was a great leader at UCC and a great friend to many. I will pass this message onto my children: Teri and Danny. PS – Beverly passed away in 2004. PSS – I married Kayc in 2014 and now live in Lexington, KY. George
Dear Jane and Family,
Vann and I were so sorry to learn of Bob’s death. He will be missed by all who knew him – he always had a smile on his face.
I did not realize that he had Parkinson’s. I was diagnosed with PD in 2011, and am currently struggling with it. Fortunately, Vann is a wonderful “caregiver”.
You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers – and please let us know when the memorial gathering will take place.
Most sincerely,
Anne & Vann Carroll
Jane: So sorry to read of Bob’s passing. It was good to see you both and talk when together at the Carbide reunion a few years ago.
Bob and I date back to 1960 when we were both on assignment in New York City during the final stages of the Carbide headquarters construction on 270 Park Avenue. As two single guys there we spent many hours together over dinners and taking in many of the city’s shows and attractions after work. I remember him as a gentle and even-tempered friend. I grieve with you.
Dear Jane and Amy, My thoughts are with you with the utmost understanding of the loss you are now experiencing. The last time I saw you two was at the Carbide Reunion but Janet has kept me updated on Bob’s condition over the years. My Ray spoke of the kindness you and Bob showed him while in Belgium on assignment. Take good care of yourself now and hold onto the memories.
Dear Jane, so sorry for Bob’s passing, I will always remember you two as that good looking couple at the Carbide Christmas parties and being the sister to one of our favorite friends Janet and RA.
Love to you,
Janet & Mitch
Jane
It has been a long time since Bobbie and I last visited with you and Bob. We fondly recall the times we were together. We regret that we did not maintain contact. Bob was always the quintessential gentleman and I always enjoyed working with him. Please accept our condolences on your loss.
Pete and Bobbie Lilly
I was so sorry to learn of Bob’s passing. We were the best of friends growing up in Bluefield. Along with my twin brother we always doing something together. I regret that we lost contact after we all went away for college
Please accept my sincere condolences. I am sorry I am late in my response but I
just learned of his passing today.
Dear Jane and Amy. We are sorry about the late submission but we were late learning of Bob’s passing. I will remember Bob as a very gentle man with a big heart. He was an important part of my career and I will always be grateful for his leadership. Both Mable and I are saddened for your loss.
Tom Bailey