KOFFLER, Phyllis Phyllis died peacefully on March 31, 2019 at the age of 97. She was preceded in death by her husband of 71 years, Dr. Henry Koffler, President Emeritus of the University of Arizona. The Kofflers together were a shining civic presence in Tucson as well as the founders of Academy Village and the Arizona Senior Academy, a lifelong learning institution in Tucson. Phyllis was born on June 5, 1921 in Maumee, Ohio near Toledo. Her mother was Josephine Frazier and her father was Charles Pierson. She moved to Tucson in her high school years where she attended both St. Joseph's Academy and Tucson High School from which she graduated in 1939. She was also a graduate of the University of Arizona where she studied both French and Library Science. Phyllis' two great loves after her husband whom she married in 1946, were the performing arts and dogs. Until the very end of her life, she attended weekly concerts at the Academy, and entertained dogs of all shapes and sizes that belonged to the myriad of visitors who came to see her on a daily basis. Due to Henry Koffler's career as a force in education, the Kofflers spent many years in the mid-west (Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana and at the University of Minnesota) where Phyllis hosted weekly gatherings of her husband's students as well as world class performers such as James Earl Jones, Marian Anderson, Victor Borge and the Bolshoi Ballet. In addition to being an exquisite hostess, Phyllis was an avid raconteur and had a razor sharp wit. Her wonderful voice and laughter are signs of her zest for life and will linger in the air for the many, many people who loved and knew her well. In June there will be a Memorial gathering at the Arizona Senior Academy. Donations in Phyllis Koffler's name can be made to the Henry and Phyllis Koffler Prizes at the UA Foundation, to the Arizona Senior Academy, or to a charity of your choice. Arrangements by BRING'S BROADWAY CHAPEL.

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Published by Arizona Daily Star on Apr. 7, 2019.

Memories and Condolences
for Phyllis KOFFLER

2 Entries

Bobby Robinson

April 2, 2023

Hard to believe is four years since I saw Phyllis before she died. Such a lovely friend to me over the past thirty or more years as I came to Tucson to enjoy the Tucson Chamber Music winter concerts and Phyllis and Henry were my hosts. Most of the years I stayed at the Waverley St. "casita" but spent much time with Phyllis in addition to the concerts. She loved to visit the horses and had favorite lunch spots, and we kept track of the beginning of spring in Tucson. Good memories.
Bobby Robinson

April 29, 2019

Phyllis N. Koffler

It was through an unusual circumstance that I got to know Phyllis Koffler. A close friend of mine who was going to visit Phyllis, her close friend, during the week of the Tucson Chamber Music Festival, invited me to join them for the week. I had already been smitten by Tucson in several trips to Green Valley, and enthusiastically joined the party. At the last minute, our mutual friend cancelled out due to serious illness. Phyllis called and said come anyway, and took me in. The Kofflers were still living in northern Tucson off River Road, but they were looking at blueprints for the house they were building at Academy Village, the professional retirement community Henry Koffler founded. From the early 1990's on I didn't miss a year of Koffler hospitality and friendship and glorious music until this past year. During all that time Phyllis called me her legacy from our mutual friend.

The University of Arizona was the Kofflers sacred world. Since Henry went to his office every day until almost the end of life, Phyllis was on her own most days and I got to share many of her events and interests while there. Of course classical music was one, but also talks at the Academy and the University, exercise classes, medical school and library luncheon meetings, art and photography shows, and visits to see the Arabian horses and the scenery of the Foothills. Endless conversations about public affairs and the arts scene, and stories about childhood and earlier days in Tucson showed Phyllis to be a lively commentator and storyteller. Her sense of humor was so refreshing.

Staying several years in their Academy village home I saw their scrapbooks of former institutions where Henry was provost and president. Visits from former students that Henry inspired who had also enjoyed Phyllis' generous hospitality came to call. I took in their amazing art collection, from paintings to sculpture to carvings. Their patio had a dream vista of the mountains and scrub cattle range. The view of the Rincons was up close and powerful, but Phyllis especially enjoyed clear days when she could see her beloved Catalinas beyond. I could see that their all around helper, Tom Judd, enabled both of them to enjoy their home and lives.

My visit lengthened to two, then three weeks as I began to learn all about the southwest flora and fauna and rented a car to enjoy the parks and wild areas. During this time, I stayed in the casita, the little house on East Waverly that Phyllis had inherited. Phyllis wanted to know all about my adventures that she could no longer enjoy, and we had many lunches together to share our news. When it was at her favorite restaurant, Henry might join us. Henry's art collection kept growing and overflowed the Academy home, so many were stored in the casita, and several graced its walls to my delight. During the week-long Chamber Music Festival Phyllis and Henry and I were immersed in the day to day activities and performances that thrilled us. It is such an unusual festival in which you get up close and personal with the players and the music. The Kofflers were so proud of their long-time association and support.

On my last trip in 2018, I wasn't prepared for the great changes in store. Henry had been in the hospital, and next was Phyllis who was there when I arrived, but soon was released to the assisted living building. Henry encouraged me to stay at the casita and was still taking care of many obligations, but was obviously physically weak. I sadly witnessed his return to the hospital and his release to the assisted living with Phyllis where he spent his last days. What a loss for Phyllis, her helpmate for over 70 years! What a loss for the University community! While I didn't return last year and had pangs at not being in Tucson, I talked many times with Phyllis on the phone, which was her lifeline with friends. Her sense of humor and concern for others was still intact. Tom and Barbara Judd remained her right-hand helpers and Marie Wesselhoft, a favorite friend through Henry's artwork, still came to watch Sixty Minutes with her Sunday nights. The news of her passing was not unexpected but still hard to believe. I am so grateful for her love and friendship.

Bobby Robinson (Mrs. Barbara D.)
Concord Massachusetts

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