PHILLIP WESTRA

I was cleaning my desk 2 days ago (June 12) and serendipitously found the program from Phil's memorial service. I have it propped up with Phil's face smiling out at me. Our hope and faith is that he smiles on us and with us still!

I wondered if an old friend that I got to know in Switzerland in the mid 70ties would be still around. Going through search pages, finding his image I came to this Guest book. I remember he went to visit his root country - the north of the Netherlands - Friesland. As a dutchman too we had good talks and happy times together. I will always remember his gentle and loving kind personality. Visiting him in Boston in 1985 was the last time we met, we also met his parents then. Great people. It...

4/14/13

Dear Polly and family:

Literally just minutes ago, out of the blue before I was going to bed, I thought about Phil and your family and wondered if you all were still in Miami. I went on-line and to my consternation discovered his obituary.

I too met Phil at Landmark School in the summer of 1980. I have fond memories if you can imagine the two of us running through Manchester-by-the-Sea, a Dutchman - golden and blonde and an African American from the South -- we...

Dear Polly, Chelsea and Family,

We are thinking of you during this holiday season and sending our deepest sympathy.

Cliff and I enjoyed the opportunities we had at Hampshire to get to know Phil. We felt his warm, fun-loving, kind, generous spirit. He had a twinkle in his eye when talking about his family, work and sailing! It is evident that his wonderful spirit will live on in all of you.

With love,
Nancy and Cliff

we just learned of phil's passing -
we shared that epic adventure down the mississippi with phil and lenny from cairo ,ill, across the gulf to tarpon springs fl.
he , and lenny , are a permanent part
of our lifes stories -- so many precious memories -
we were fortunate to have spent that brief moment in time with him -

Polly and all,
He was wonderful. Our encounters were sadly few (I was looking forward to more) but memorable. I will miss him a lot.

Dear Polly,
I'll always remember Phil for the joy he brought to the kids when he organized a water skiing day on Hoag, over-coming all obstacles. Ben and Tal stii remember it and him fondly.

I'm sure he leaves a big hole for all who knew him, especially you.
Love,
Matt

I met and became friends with Phil at L'Abri in the fall of '78, in part because we discovered that we grew up about 5 miles apart as the crow flies. One Sunday about 2 years later I turned around to share the peace at Christ Church of Hamilton/Wenham, and there was Phil! He joined me on the faculty at Landmark School for a few years, and we were great friends. So sad and sorry to hear of his passing!

Dear Polly and family members,
I was shocked and saddened to hear of Phil's sudden death. My heart goes out to all of you at the loss of a truly good person who cared so much--about all of you, and about his fellow human beings. Although I won't be able to attend Phil's memorial, I will be with you all in spirit on Saturday as you celebrate Phil's life and mourn his passing with friends and family. Wishing you comfort and the solace of your faith and your shared memories of Phil to see...