Dr. Robert William Phillips, 77
Dr. Robert William Phillips, 77, passed away on Monday, Dec. 11, 2017, in Sandpoint, Idaho.
Born on Dec. 21, 1939, in Oakland, Calif., to Robert and Gertrude Phillips, Bob grew up and attended California public schools, eventually earning a doctorate in mechanical engineering at UC Berkeley. He served in the United States Marine Corps, rising to the grade of sergeant E5 as a Hawk Anti-Aircraft missile technician. Bob married Joan Logsdon on Jan. 27, 1963, in Sacramento, Calif.
Bob had an interesting working life that took him from entrepreneurial ventures to government and industry consulting, to his last position as a member of the competitive intelligence team at General Motors. In this capacity, he was instrumental in bringing active vehicle stability control systems to the American marketplace.
Bob’s business ventures centered around sports he loved, sailing and cycling. They included Sailnetics, a partnership formed with friends to develop and produce two-man sailing dinghies. Sailnetics sailboats won several world championships, but Bob realized he was spending too much time in the shop and not enough at his real love, sailing. Another entrepreneurial business arose from the cut-down, road-racing bicycle Bob built for his son in the early 1980s. PAE Cycles built good bikes for sm/all people. Top racing results in U.S. Cycle Federation Midget Class (9-12 year-olds) were won on PAE bikes. Other wins included the first U.S Triathlon Championship and the first women’s Triathlons in France and Japan..
After retiring in 2002, Bob and Joan moved into a small motor home. They traveled frequently in the U.S. and Canada, always returning to friends, neighbors and their beloved Sandpoint home base. Bob continued his addiction to cycling, racing his mountain bike and pedaling in distance road rides in the Northwest. At home, Bob was a talented woodsmith. He enjoyed making furniture and he handcrafted many of the cabinets in their home.
In addition to his love of sports, Bob was a classical musician. In retirement he resurrected his earlier interest in the clarinet. Bob studied with the best teacher/performers in the Spokane area and played in community orchestras and ensembles.
Bob is survived by his wife Joan of Sandpoint; son Robin of Etna, Wyo.; granddaughter Zoe Ellen of Olympia, Wash.; and sister Joyce Montagner of Sacramento.
Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint is handling the arrangements. Please visit Bob’s online memorial at lakeviewfuneral.com and sign his guest book.