L.E. "Les" Phillabaum

Phillabaum was a wonderful man, a gentleman, and always gentle to those of us who were a little bit scared of his knowledge and wisdom.

June 11th
I am sorry for this late entry, but I owe a special debt of gratitude to Mr. Philabaum for publishing my first book, "The War Everyone Lost--And Won."
I remember meeting with him about my submission. He asked me directly if it was my dissertation, when, in my cover letter I had attempted to shield the manuscript from this "epithet." I had to admit it was. His only response was "well it had better be a good one," and took the manuscript out of the box. I will always...

Book lovers everywhere have lost a good friend in Les Phillabaum. He leaves a rich legacy to us all.

Ann Dobie

Thank You, Janet, for passing along the Notice of Les Phillabaum. He was a very noted man. How nice to have such a distinguished cousin. He lived a very full and honored life.
Jack and I send our respect and love to the family.

Thank you, Phil, for all your support, and for that special phone call.

My only real-time meeting with Les was at the San Francisco ABA in the early 1980s. I do know, though, that the warmth he extended went out to all of the LSU Press writers on his editorial list. He did whatever he could to promote and keep our books alive.
-- Al Young
(THE BLUES DON'T CHANGE, New & Selected Poems, 1982)

Dear Family of Les,
So sorry for your loss. I am a cousin of Les whom you hear from at the Guyer reunion time. Les's Grandmother Clara (Guyer) Phillabaum and My Grandmother Verna (Guyer) Robbins were sisters.
Cousin Dean Phillabaum helps me with the Family Geanology, and notified me of Les's death. I dug on line until I found this sight and am so thankful for the beautiful Obit. I have copied it and added it to my large genealogy library. I am also sending it to several distant...

I am deeply saddened by news of Les Phillabaum's death. I had not seen him for several years and very much missed his absence from the historical conventions. A fine editor with a broad appreciation of historical expression, he will be missed.