Philip Elston Bishop

Philip Elston Bishop, PHD, 58, formerly of Radford, Va., passed away on Monday, April 12, 2010, at his home in Orlando, Fla., surrounded by his family, after a brave battle with melanoma. He was born on January 16, 1952, in Lawrence, Kan., a son of the late Harry E. Bishop and Verna M. Bishop. Philip was a 1970 graduate of Radford High School where he was an Honor Society Student, Senior Class President, and football player under Coaches Abser and Frank Beamer. He graduated from Davidson College, Davidson, N.C., in 1974, and earned his Masters and PHD at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He moved to Orlando in 1985 and taught English and Humanities at Jones High School for four years before becoming a full time Professor of Humanities at Valencia Community College and taught night classes at University Central Florida. Philip was a gifted writer and published six editions of College level textbooks and numerous journals on both Art and Teaching. He was passionate in the classroom and mentor to his students and teachers. His friends and colleagues were important in his life and surrounded him with support and love. Philip is survived by his son, Aaron Bishop and wife, Wendy, of Greensboro, N.C.; a daughter, Shaughna Bishop and husband, Chris Allen, of New York, N.Y.; his mother, Verna Bishop, of Radford, Va.; one brother, Mark Bishop and wife, Lou Don, of Radford; one sister, Elaine Brooks, of Griffin, Ga.; two grandchildren, Lily and Cole Bishop; and several nieces and nephews. A celebration of Philip's life was held on Saturday, April 17, 2010. Contributions may be made in his memory to the Philip E. Bishop Scholarship Fund, c/o Valencia Foundation, 190 S. Orange Avenue, Orlando, Fla. 32801. Obituary courtesy of Mullins Funeral Home & Crematory in Radford, Va. www.mullinsfuneralhome.com