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PHILIP MODLIN Obituary


MODLIN PHILIP HODGIN MODLIN Passed away peacefully at age 88 on February 4, 2015. He had lung cancer. For 61 years, he was the beloved husband of Rosalind Robinson Modlin of Alexandria, VA. He is survived by two children, Melanie Modlin of Takoma Park, MD and Ann Modlin Boehm (Scott) of Alexandria, VA. Modlin was also the doting grandfather of Katie, Claire and Allison Boehm. His other daughter, Jennifer Modlin, died in 1989. He is also survived by two sisters, Kay Hill of Jamestown, NC and Miriam Taylor of Roswell, GA. Born in Jamestown, North Carolina on October 9, 1926, Modlin heard the call of adventure at an early age. As a teenager, he hitchhiked to New York, Los Angeles and other fabled American places. A talented violinist and an ardent movie fan, his initial plan was to be a studio musician in Hollywood. That dream took him to the University of Michigan, where he pledged Sigma Chi and commenced to study music. Grasping that his true talents lay elsewhere, he transferred to High Point (NC) College, earning his A.B. degree in 1947. His sharp intelligence and powers of analysis helped him attend the George Washington University law school and earn his J.D. degree from the University of North Carolina in 1950. Modlin was proud of the fact that he held 67 jobs during his lifetime, including soap wrap- per, golf course starter and magistrate for the City of Alexandria. With that unique frame of reference, he was often hailed by those who knew him as an insightful career coach. Philip Modlin found his greatest job satisfaction at the U.S. Department of Justice, where he served with distinction for 25 years. During his career, he played an integral part in the creation of the Attorney General's Honor Program and Advocacy Institute. In 1970, he became Director of the Executive Office for United States Attorneys, where he hired and worked with many future legal luminaries. Another of his later duties, which he relished, was to advise U.S. Attorneys General and The White House Counsel's Office on judicial appointments. He traveled often to Capitol Hill to meet with Senators, striking up an especially warm working relationship with Sen. James Eastland (D-Miss.), the powerful head of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Toward the end of his Justice career, he served as the Deputy to the Associate Attorney General and Assistant to the Attorney General. Visitation will be at Everly-Wheatley Funeral Home, 1500 W. Braddock Road, Alexandria, on Monday, February 9, 2015, from 5 to 8 pm. A memorial service will be held at Trinity United Methodist Church, 2911 Cameron Mills Road, Alexandria, VA on Tuesday, February 10, 2015 at 11 a.m., with a private interment at Ivy Hill Cemetery to follow. In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to: the Jennifer B. Modlin TCW '74 Memorial Scholarship, Scholarship Fund of Alexandria, 3330 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22302, www.alexscholarshipfund.org; or the Modlin-Crowe Choir Fund, Trinity United Methodist Church, 2911 Cameron Mills Road, Alexandria, VA 22302. A condolence registry may be found at: www.everlywheatley.comwww.everlywheatley.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Washington Post on Feb. 8, 2015.

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4 Entries

February 13, 2015

My heart goes out to you Melanie and Ann. Your father was a great person who touched many lives. He was a honest and straight up person and you both should be proud to have had him as you father. I was proud to be called his neighbor.

John F. Tucker

William Cummings

February 10, 2015

I remember Phil very well,as he was head of the Exec Office in1974 when I was nominated to be U.S. Attorney, Eastern District of VA. I served as US Atty for 4 years, and Phil was a wonderful support to me thoughout my tenure. I am sure he will be missed, and my condolences to his family

Scott Sutherland

February 9, 2015

I met Mr. Modlin at his daughter's home. One of his great legacies is daughter Ann Boehm and her family. Like Mr. Modlin, Ann also became a lawyer and serves in the Dept. of Justice. I know he was very proud of Ann and also of her girls. Rest in peace, Mr. Modlin.

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Funeral services provided by:

Everly-Wheatley Funeral Home

1500 West Braddock Road, Alexandria, VA 22302

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