Robert P. Phillips

HAYES - Lt. Colonial Robert "Bob" Preston Phillips, U.S. Air Force (retired), 88, passed away on Nov.11, 2009, Veteran's Day.
Bob was born on Nov. 17, 1920, in Newport News and was a 1937 graduate of Newport News High School. He joined the Army Air Corps at the beginning of World War II. He was a member of the 100th Bombardment Wing, flying missions over Berlin. Bob also served during the Korean War, and was honored with the Air Force Commendation Medal for Meritorious Service. At the time of his retirement from Pease Air Force Base, Portsmouth, N.H., in 1962, he was the Commander of the 41st Munitions Maintenance Squadron.
Bob was preceded in death by his mother, Margaret McClymont Phillips Salway; first wife, Lois; and son, David.
He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Theresa Phillips; daughters, Mara Murphy of Mathews, Debra Campbell (K.R.) of Hayes; and son, Eugene Holt Jr. of Florida; grandchildren, Shelly Tomlinson (Jeffrey) of Gloucester, Erik Sutton (Alisha) of Fayetteville, Ark., Sarah Schwartzott (Jason) of Cocoa, Fla., and Kerry and Marie Campbell of Hayes; great-grandchildren, Cole and Jordan Tomlinson, Madison and Maddox Sutton, Jacob, Jamie and Justin Schwartzott.
Bob was a kind, gentle, soft spoken man. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters, Norfolk, Va., or the Gloucester-Mathews Humane Society, P.O. Box 385, Gloucester, VA 23061.
The family will receive friends from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009, at Peninsula Funeral Home, Newport News. A graveside service, with full military honors, will be held at 1 p.m., Jan. 22, 2010, at Arlington National Cemetery.
Peninsula Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.