Obituary of Charles Henry Phillippi “Chick”

Charles Henry “Chick” Phillippi died at home on January 24, 2014.

Born to Ruth and Charles Henry Phillippi, Sr., and reared in Philadelphia, he graduated from Dobbins Voc-Tech High. Chick served four years in the US Air Force in MATS and Strategic Air Command. In 1956, he homesteaded in Wasilla, Alaska and flew bush air transport for pioneer Bob Reeve of Reeve Aleutian Airways. In the summers of 2002-04, he and his wife returned to AK and served the Department of Natural Resources at Quartz Lake near Delta. Married to Cora Lee (Eddy), they lived for 33 years in Prospectville, PA with their sons, Matthew Charles, Jonathan Henry and Ho Van Binh.

A conservationist, Chick served on the Horsham Township Park Board when they set ground aside/planned for Carl Kohler Park (71 acres), Deep Meadow Park (51 acres), and Samuel Carpenter Park (30 acres). A community activist, he coached American Legion baseball for 5 seasons and was All Star coach 3 times. He coached Horsham Little League for 5 years and was a Cub Scout board member. A constable for Horsham Township, he was also Judge of Elections for his voting district for 16 years. A volunteer in global education, he had NGO status at the U.N. and downloaded information from Geneva for educational use. Chick proudly served with both the PA Game and the PA Fish & Boat Commissions for a total of 42 years of service. He taught fishing classes at Camp Cadet for 20 years and helped fellow law enforcement officers renovate a historic cabin on Tussy Mountain. He ranked high in state target shooting competitions and was an avid hunter, fisherman and camper. He and his wife moved to State College, PA in 1993 where he assisted in the family business, Japan Travel Consultants, ran related international projects and hosted international guests. Chick enjoyed travel and visited US and world-wide sites in his retirement. An avid music lover, he performed with Robert Shaw, Fred Waring and The Mastersingers.

A devoted family man, he is survived by his wife of 54 years, Cora Lee; sons Matthew (Lisa Bauz), Reading; Jonathan (Mari Ueno), State College; Binh Van Ho (Ha Dang), Philadelphia; 5 beloved grandchildren – Brian, Andrew, Alex, Meghan and Rei; a sister Barbara Anne DuBree of Stuart, FL; and nephews Rob and Charles DuBree.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Feb.1 at 11 am at Willow Grove Methodist Church, Willow Grove, PA; a luncheon will follow. A Celebration of Life service will be held at Bald Eagle State Park at a later date. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to The Greb-Phillippi Fund to fund international exchange scholarships c/o JapanTrac, 1431 Linn Street, State College, PA 16803. Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com.