PHILIP WHEATON

Just seeing this obituary now. I knew Phil back in 1975-1977 when I was doing some volunteer work with the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA). Phil and I collaborated on a workshop (I'm forgetting where it was, but want to say Norfolk, VA) on the reasonability of transferring the Panama Canal to Panama. I was writing on this for Jessica Tuchmann, who was the speech writer for Presidential candidate Morris Udall (1975). Carter won the Democratic nomination and then won the Presidency....

I am a cousin of Phil from the Riley family.

I had a lot of respect for the Man.

He was a Guiding Light to many young people who marveled at his commitment to justice and social change. Thank you, Rev. Wheaton, for inspiring us to action.

I met Phil in 1986 at Hampshire College where both of us had been invited to present sessions during Central America week. We stayed in contact through EPICA. I had met Sue the previous year in Texas at the founding convention of the Alliance For Democracy and she and I stayed in touch through AFD. I never connected the two as being together until Sue invited me to stay with them when I was in DC a couple years later. They once hosted a house concert for me; I had wonderful conversations...

Loved greatly, encouraged me to study and be useful to society..

Phil Wheaton was inspirational to all. He reverberated progressivism with a commanding and always wise and deeply dedicated presence. Like many others I certainly benefited from knowing him in the struggle for justice. Phil Wheaton Presente!

I met Phil in Santiago Chile in 1973. Through connections made, I was the person to give him a tour of the poblacion where I lived. He was so grateful for that accompaniment and visit. I remembered him but did not think I would ever see him again. However in the circles of life. I ended up living with him and the others of the original Lamont St. house in DC.when we had to leave Chile because of the coup. He will always be remembered as a tall tree in my life. My love to all the family. ...

Thank you, dear family and friends of Phil. We are so grateful to you for including us in this tribute to Phil and we send our deepest appreciation and love to each of you as well. It is with great sorrow to say good-bye to Phil, but we know he will continue to be present to us, and we are better human beings for his life of solidarity, his prophetic witness, and his wonderful friendship to so many. Scott, Jean and Maura