Robert D. Phillips

Robert D. Phillips, Jr., 77, of Shillington, died September 17, 2011 in Reading Hospital.

He was the husband of Claire A. (Guest) Phillips. They were happily married and the best of friends for 57 years.

Born May 18, 1934 in West Hazleton, Luzerne County, he was a son of the late Robert D. and Catherine E. (Borneisen) Phillips.

Bob was a 1952 graduate of Shillington High School. He was employed by Metropolitan Edison Co. Engineering Department and attended the former Wyomissing Polytechnic Institute. He served in the U.S. Army from 1956 to 1958, then earned his B.S. in Education from Kutztown University in 1961, and his M.S. in Education from Temple University in 1965. He later earned his Secondary Administration Certification from Temple. In 1973, Bob was initiated into the Kutztown University Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa, a public education fraternity.

Following his graduation from Kutztown in 1961, Bob was employed as a mathematics teacher at the Governor Mifflin Junior High School. He was appointed associate principal in 1971 and named principal in 1983. In 1992, the Junior High School became the Mifflin Middle School, from which Bob retired in 1993 after 32 years of service.

Bob was an active member of Holy Cross United Methodist Church, Reading, where he was a past vice chairman of the Board of Trustees. Bob also was a member of the South Berks Association of School Retirees; the Berks County Association of School Retirees; and the Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees.

Bob was a volunteer for numerous organizations, including Meals on Wheels; the New Journey (formerly Central/Park) United Methodist Church Food Ministry; and Opportunity House (Reading Emergency Shelter). He also tutored in the ESL/GED adult education program at Reading Area Community College and served as a tour guide for the Berks County Heritage Center. Bob enjoyed golf; horse-back riding (which he and Claire took up when Bob was 50); bridge; travel; and, especially, spending time with his children and grandchildren.

Also surviving are two children: Spencer R. Phillips, husband of Melissa Phillips, of Manheim, Pa.; and Cathy L. (Phillips), wife of Andrew R. Skitko, Jr., of Pottstown, Pa.

There are four grandchildren: Andrew R. Skitko III, Nicholas R. Skitko, Molly K. Phillips, and Claudia O. Phillips.

Other survivors include two brothers, Richard T., of Florida; and Ronald J. Phillips, of Mohrsville; and a sister, Rebecca J. Sell, of Reading. Robert was predeceased by his brother, Roy P. Phillips.

Services will be Saturday at 11 a.m. in Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., 739 Penn Avenue, West Reading. Friends will be received from 9:30-11:00 a.m. in the funeral home. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery, Shillington.

The family requests that friends who wish to honor Bob's memory consider a memorial contribution to New Journey United Methodist Church Food Ministry (138 S. Sixth St., Reading, Pa. 19602); Holy Cross United Methodist Church (329 N. Fifth St., Reading, Pa. 19601); or Opportunity House (430 N. Second St., Reading, Pa. 19601).