Philip Amadon Kolvoord

1932 - 2017

Philip Amadon Kolvoord

Age: 84 • Essex

Philip Amadon Kolvoord, 84, of Essex, Vermont died of complications from Alzheimer's Disease on March 11th, 2017. Phil was born on Sept. 7, 1932 in Battle Creek Michigan, the son of the late Rense Albert and Ruth Fitts Kolvoord. Phil is also predeceased by his sister Jeanne Galloway. Phil graduated from Walpole High School and the University of Virginia, where he held two degrees Philosophy (1953) and Law (1956). He came to Vermont in 1956 and in 1958 opened his first law practice in Essex Junction, where he practiced for the rest of his career.

In November, 1960, he married Edith Louise Belden. Phil was a member of both the Vermont and Virginia Bars. He was joined in his law practice by partners Alan Overton and Gregg Wilson. Throughout his 50 years of legal practice, Phil served a number of municipalities, including the Town of Essex, as well as the Champlain Valley Water District, and the Champlain Valley Exposition.

Phil served as Vermont Governor's Executive Clerk from 1961-1963. He was an active member of the Vermont Bar Association for more than 50 years, where he served on, and chaired the Professional Conduct Committee. Phil was a very active member of the Essex Rotary Club, where he was twice recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow. Phil also served on the Board of Directors of the Chittenden Trust Company. He was a Mason, a longtime member of the Ethan Allen Lodge. He was also a longtime member of the Ethan Allen Club. He was active in many community activities, and with Francis "Buddy" Folino, led the effort that resulted in the construction of the Essex Junction Skating Facility. Phil was a member of, and chaired the Board of Directors of the Discovery Museum in Essex.

He was a two-time Vermont Chess Champion in the 1950's. Phil was a member of the Explorers Club, and a charter member of IFCE. He was a member of First Congregational Church in Essex Junction. Phil was an inveterate traveler, visiting all seven continents and more than 50 foreign countries, and never missed the chance to take a trip. He loved gardening, beekeeping, boating, and fishing in any and every venue he could sink a line. Phil is survived by his wife Louise Kolvoord. He is also survived by his sons Robert Andrew and Steven Eric Kolvoord, as well as Robert's wife Holly Haney and Phil's grandchildren Andrew, Zachary, and Abigail Kolvoord, and his nephews Thomas and Scott Galloway. Visiting hours will be from 4:00 - 7:00 pm on Friday, March 24th at Corbin and Palmer Funeral Home, 9 Pleasant Street, Essex Junction. A Celebration of Life ceremony will be held at First Congregational Church in Essex Junction at 1 pm on Saturday, March 25th. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Children's Literacy Foundation, http://clifonline.org/ or 1536 Loomis Hill Road, Waterbury Center, VT 05677, or the First Congregational Church, 1 Church St., Essex Junction 05452.

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