ENSLOW, Jr., Philip

Harrison "Phil" PhD

Philip Harrison "Phil" Enslow Jr. passed away at the age of 89 on October 10, 2022 after a lengthy illness from complications of Agent Orange exposure. Phil was born on March 2, 1933 in Richmond, VA to Col. Philip Harrison Enslow, US Army (Retired) and Charlotte Coalter Enslow, as the youngest of two children.

After a year at Virginia Military Institute, in 1951 Phil earned his appointment to the US Military Academy at West Point, where he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Signal Corps in 1955. The day after graduation Phil married Dianne Elizabeth Gormlie, the daughter of Lt. Col. George F. Gormlie, US Army, and Dorothea Louise Webber Gormlie, both of Massachusetts.

Early in his career Phil showed an aptitude for electrical engineering, or "Juice" as the EE classes at West Point were known. In 1959 Phil earned his Master of Science in Electrical Engineering at Stanford University, then after a year in Korea and another year spent as an instructor in computing at West Point, he returned to Stanford where in 1965 he earned his Ph.D. degree, also in EE.

Phil served his country in Vietnam in 1967-68, where he helped deploy one of the early communications networks. For his first six months in-country he traveled throughout South Vietnam and Thailand setting up the network to communicate command and control information. For his final six months Phil was assigned as the Signal Officer of the 173rd Airborne Brigade, known as the "Sky Soldiers", during their very active combat missions in the Central Highlands area near South Vietnam's border with Cambodia and Laos.

Just a month after retiring from the Army in 1975 as a Lieutenant Colonel, Phil moved his family to Atlanta and began his civilian career at the Georgia Institute of Technology in the School of Information and Computer Science (ICS), first as an Associate Professor and then in 1978 as a Full Professor. During his time at Georgia Tech, Phil established a comprehensive educational program in telecommunications within ICS, and in 1990 helped guide the transformation of ICS into the College of Computing. The major advance by Georgia Tech in creating the CoC was in recognizing Computing as a major discipline on the same level as Engineering, Science, etc. In addition to his teaching duties, Phil was very active in recruiting new faculty to the CoC, helping establish Georgia Tech as one of the premier worldwide centers of excellence in Computing and Telecommunications.

Phil authored several books during his career, and was one of the founders of the first international journal of computer telecommunications and networking. In 1988 the City of Amsterdam, The Netherlands, awarded Professor Enslow The Blaeu Prize for his role in helping to create international understanding and cooperation in the development of computer communications technologies. Phil retired from Georgia Tech in August 2000 and was appointed a Professor Emeritus.

Phil and Dianne loved to travel, and whether it was for one of his international conferences, a vacation with his family, or a trip with his fellow West Point alumni, they were fortunate to experience many different lands and cultures. They often took their daughters, Dottie and Dana on these trips, and after the daughters married, their spouses and children as well.

Phil was also a member of the Society of the Cincinnati, whose members are descendants of the officers of General George Washington. Phil strongly believed in the mission of the Society (and its sister organization The American Revolution Institute) to educate Americans, particularly school-aged children, on the importance of the American Revolution and the founding of the United States as a catalyst for the movement of liberty and freedom in nations worldwide.

Phil was predeceased by his parents; his older sister, Charlotte; and his first daughter, Dianne Elizabeth "DeDe". He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Dianne; daughters, Dorothea Bliss Enslow Putnal (Joseph) and Dana Charlotte Enslow Hammock; grandsons, Philip James Hammock (Cacilia), Tucker Harrison Hammock, and Randall Coalter Putnal; and two greatgrandsons.

The funeral service will be held at St. Martin in the Fields Episcopal Church, 3110 Ashford-Dunwoody Rd. on Wednesday, October 19 at 12:30 PM, with a reception to follow immediately afterwards in Gable Hall. For those unable to attend who wish to view the service, it will be streamed live on the St. Martin YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/c/StMartinintheFieldsEpiscopalChurchAtlanta/featured

At a later date there will be a military service with Honors at Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, where Phil will be interred, joining his daughter DeDe.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Enslow Endowment for Education, c/o The Society of the Cincinnati, Inc., Anderson House, 2118 Massachusetts Ave., Washington, DC, 20008; or to a cause that is special to you. https://www.americanrevolutioninstitute.org/online-contributions/

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

Published by Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Oct. 16, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for Philip Enslow

Sponsored by Georgia Cremation - Duluth.

6 Entries

Dan Colestock

October 19, 2023

An inspirational scientist and teacher.

Jim Allchin.

April 20, 2023

Dr Enslow was a key factor in my coming to GaTech. He was also a key member of my thesis committee. He provided guidance throughout my PhD. He made his mark in Computer Science, Georgia Tech, and so many students - including me.

Anthony Andersen

January 21, 2023

I met Philip working with BT on packet switching and distributed networks. Philip Enslow not only educated me on systems and early days is packet switching he also inspired
me to progress in my chosen profession. Philip was a first class educator an inspirational person who I used as a bench mark for my career. I am so saddened at his passing in Royal Royal Naval terms crossed the bar but pleased I have known such an inspirational person. God bless and rest in peace Mr educator. Now retired head systems engineering.

Eugene Spafford

December 11, 2022

I just learned about Phil's passing. My sincerest condolences to the family.

Professor Enslow recruited me to Georgia Tech as a grad student. He made a personal recruiting telephone call to my home one evening, surprising me (to say the least). I think his personal outreach was the deciding factor in my matriculation.

While at Purdue, he served as chair of my MS thesis committee and as a member of my Ph.D. committee. He funded some of my research. I took two classes he taught (I have never gotten up at 8 am for any other instructor or class, btw). He had a HUGE influence on my career.

The world was a far better place for Phil being in it. He shaped the direction of research in computing and did so much to help thousands of people reach their greater potential.

Although I share in the grief at his passing, I cannot help but celebrate what a light he brought into my life and the life of others.

Ron Hutchins

Sent Flowers

Brigit Farley

October 16, 2022

I'm so sorry for your loss. My parents and I knew then-Major Enslow, Dianne and "Dottie" when we were all at Stanford University in the summer of l964. Major Enslow took his daughter and me swimming at Travis Air Force base one hot summer day. We enjoyed knowing the Enslows at Stanford. Phil had a long, meaningful and accomplished life. May he rest in peace. My condolences to his family.

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