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University of Washington

Howard Phillips Obituary

Howard Phillips

March 18, 1931 ~ April 3, 2013

Howard was born in Medina, NY and resided in Seattle from 1958 to 2013.

Howard graduated from Carnegie

Tech where he majored in engineering. Professionally, Howard's diverse career spanned Boeing, TCS, ADP, and the University of Washington where he served both Deep Sea Ocean Research and the Medical Center.

We will always remember Howard's love of his family, friends, and Chester (the dog), his work ethic, high moral values, and uncompromising approach to all things.

Howard is survived by his former wife Judy; his children and their spouse: Gregory of Seattle and Howard and Dayna of Park City; two grandchildren: Katherine and Alexandra; his brother William of Maryland; as well as many dear friends.

Howard asked that there be no memorial service. In lieu of flowers, donations in Howard's honor may be made to the charity of your choice.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Seattle Times on Apr. 7, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for Howard Phillips

Sponsored by His Loving Family.

13 Entries

Charles Randyl Britten

March 25, 2025

I worked for Howard in the seventies at Telephone Computer Service, a company that made Pay by Phone, a service sold to banks to allow people to pay their bills using a touch tone phone. Howard and Al Ayres created the system and I wrote the program in DEC BASIC on a PDP-11.

Lynn Wyman

August 13, 2023

I remember Howard when we flew gliders together in late 60´s and into the 70´s. He was so interesting on his idea to get banking by touch tone phone going.

Steve Elliott

April 18, 2022

Howard and I worked together in the UW Oceanography Machine Shop. The most complex device built there was a sampler that could capture an uncomtaminated sample of the bacteria that live in the sea floor volcanic vents. The device needed to close with a huge force so that the collected sample (about 150 ml x 3) could be brought to the surface by a maned sub in pristine condition. When Howard suggested using a torsion bar to supply the closure energy, I wasn´t sure what he was talking about. The torsion bar was a .75" diameter titanium rod about three feet long and the sampler (named "Laredo") was cocked putting a twist in the rod using a special tool. The force of the closure was (no exaggeration!) breathtaking. Everyone witnessing a test firing had to , almost literally, gather their jaw off the shop floor. Howard had the high honor of taking Laredo to 9k feet below the ocean surface twice. Howard was one hell of an engineer. Working with him was a real privilege.

Steve Elliott

May 10, 2019

Does this give me enough space to share a quick story? Guess Ill find out! I hired Howard to work for me in the Oceanography Machine Shop. I had called a friend who was was a welding instructor at S. Seattle Com College to determine if he might know a person who could work hourly in the Shop. He said he thought he knew a guy who might be a good fit. A day or two later Howard and I were talking together in the office. I remember that I asked to describe his relevant background and he told me about rebuilding an airplane that he donated to a museum at Wright Patterson Air Base in Dayton, Ohio. Im sure that Howard was disappointed in my tepid response but he quickly quashed his annoyance and said Steve, thats a big deal. I offered Howard the position and threw out a salary number that that must, in retrospect, have been laughable but he put on a wry smile and with a slight smile, said, Sure. That was the beginning of a warm, wonderful relationship.

annamaria marchionne

June 10, 2013

Oh Howard, you made me laugh and really think hard when you posed the question "what is the purpose of the exercise". I will remember you fondly. Riding bicycles around Mercer Island with you on a nice day was such fun. Thank you for sharing your time with me. I miss you. AnnaMaria

Something Howard made for the University Hospital

Randy Fabro

May 3, 2013

Howard was a friend and co-worker. A unique character and quite a craftsman. I'm remember many a breakfast talking over the topics of the day and always the question "What are you doing away from your duty station?"
I hope you find happiness in what ever comes next. I'm missing you>

Kathy Newell

April 17, 2013

So sorry to hear of Howard's death. I worked with Howard at the U and had many interesting conversations with him. My condolences to his family.

Edna J Glenn, Edinburgh UK

April 11, 2013

I am happy to have known Howard while he was working at UW Oceanography. He was one of those straightforward, energetic spirits who could talk so easily about anything under the sun. I enjoyed our conversations immensely. Well done, Howard.

Rob Emery

April 10, 2013

I am sad to hear of Howard's passing and give my condolences to his family and friends. I really appreciated Howard for his ingenuity, workmanship, candor, advice, and friendship. Remembering him now makes me smile.

Steven Elliott

April 10, 2013

Howard and I worked together at the Oceanography Machine Shop throughout the 90's. Howard was a trusted friend and a wonderfully talented design engineer. My kids still enjoy sharing stories of his many eccentricities. My families deepest condolences to Howard's family.

Emily Elliott

April 9, 2013

So sorry to hear this. Howard worked with my husband Steve Elliott for many many years. Dinners, a Christmas party at his house and many many philosophical discussions. Bon Voyage, Howard.

Tracie Hunt

April 8, 2013

I too worked with Howard at the UW and I was sorry to hear about his death.

Kittie Tucker

April 8, 2013

I am so sorry to hear of Howard's passing. I worked with him at the University of Washington and we had many delightful conversations about family and raising kids. He gave me lots of fatherly advice. I was always impressed with his adventures and stories. I will never forget his smile and quick wit. I wish his family peace in this time of sorrow.

Showing 1 - 13 of 13 results