Howard Phillips

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.

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.

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....

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...

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

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>

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.

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.