George, Philip R.

Phil passed away of natural causes Aug. 31, 2014 in Spokane, Wash. He was born Sept. 9, 1926 to Emil and Bertha George, the second of five boys, in Ellensburg, Wash.

As a child he worked on the family farm with his brothers. During World War II, he was a cook/baker for the Merchant Marines. He earned his bachelor of arts in education from Central Washington State College (now Central Washington University) in 1949 and his masters in 1953. He taught in Naches, Wash. from 1949 – 1953. He was a teacher and principal in Monitor, Wash. from 1953 – 1954 before becoming principal in Quincy, Wash. until 1959. Phil then served as assistant superintendent in Sumner, Wash. until 1966.

He earned a doctorate in education from the University of Idaho in 1968. He joined Eastern Washington State College (now Eastern Washington University) later that year and continued to work for them until 1994.

Some of the responsibilities Phil had were the director of student teaching, coordinator of the administrative program and director of the Migrant Institute at Eastern. He chaired the Roland B. Lewis Leadership Conference, conducted many workshops and in-service courses. Professor of Education Emeritus was conferred upon Phil in 1988.

He was a member and held offices in the Association of Teacher Educators, the Northwest Association of Teacher Educators, National Association of School Administrators, National Association of Secondary School Principals, Washington Association of School Administrators, American Association of School Administrators, and Phi Delta Kappa.

He married Connie King in 1948. They had two children, Fred and Janet. The marriage later ended in divorce.

He then married Mary Barber Kammerzell in 1971, bringing together two families with the addition of her daughter Kristin. In 1978 their daughter Julie was born. Phil had many close friends and enjoyed gardening, camping, reading, the Oregon Coast, traveling the United States, and Eastern athletics. He was an example of patience, bravery, problem solving and positive thinking.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Ben (Nina) George and Don (Esther) George. He is survived by his wife Mary, his brothers Keith (Bobbie) George and Will (Fay) George, his children Fred (Gloria) George, Janet (Stan) Martin, Kris (Craig) Busch, and Julie (Tim) Carlberg. Grandaughters Melanie (Robert) Dichard, Georgi Martin, Makena Busch, Michelle Busch, Alena Busch, and grandson Landon Carlberg, who was his best pal.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, Sept. 20 at 2 p.m. at The Heritage Funeral Chapel. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to a charity of your choice.