Oliver Ronald Phillips
1924 – 2016
Oliver Ronald “Ron” Phillips passed away peacefully in his sleep June 18 at his home in Renton, Washington. He was born in Colville, Washington on February 6, 1924.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, three sisters and a beloved granddaughter Karen Ziegler. In 1943, he married the love of his life, Sylvia Tommerup, and they were together for 72 years.
Following graduation from Colville High in 1941 Ron enlisted in the Navy. He served a total of 22 years. During the war, he spent time in Norman, Oklahoma as a swim instructor and then taught aircraft engine repair. It was there that he married Sylvia and they began their family. As he rose to the rank of Master Chief Aircraft Maintenance, he served aboard the aircraft carrier Hancock. After his active service, he worked for the Navy’s Naval Ship Missile Systems Engineering Station (NSMSES) in Port Hueneme, California.
Being on the water and even under (he was a certified scuba diver too!) was in Ron’s blood. He and Sylvia owned both a powerboat and sailboat. Before retirement from NSMSES he began a project in a local boatyard. It was to be called Ergo and took six years to complete. Ergo was a 45’ wood hull boat he single handily built. Launched in 1978, Ron and Sylvia entertained friends and family with trips to Catalina and the local Channel Islands. Unbeknownst to many, these trips were just a preparation for one of his and Sylvia’s greatest adventures.
In 1979 Captain Ron embarked on what was to be a one way trip to the Pacific Northwest. Accompanied by his first mate, Sylvia, they headed along the coast making frequent stops and endured a storm or two. They settled on Whidbey Island which became a base for even more boating adventures. The pair explored the San Juan Islands, the Canadian West Coast and Alaska.
Ron and Sylvia also loved the lifestyle of RVing. Itchy foot indeed, they explored America, Canada and Mexico discovering new places, friends, reconnecting with old ones and visiting family.
Ron was generous, loving and a supportive man. However, he was also feisty, opinionated, and tough as nails when he needed to be. He was curious, adventurous and traveled the world on his computer. Ron was incredibly intelligent and talented. He could find or do anything or use the Internet to assist him. This combination of love, strength, and aptitude made him an exceptional person: commanding and thoroughly unique.
He will be greatly missed by his wife, children Gayle Collins (Rick), Craig (Marya), Jan Campbell (Bruce), Vicki Ramirez (Gil) and Mary Kittilson (Erik), 9 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grand children.
There will be a memorial tribute to Ron’s life on Sunday, July 10, 1-3 pm at Merrill Gardens 104 Burnett S Ave. S., Renton, Washington.
In lieu of flowers, Ron wished that donations be made to The Cure Alzheimer’s Fund. http://curealz.org/in-memory/oliver-phillips
