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Philip Guichelaar Obituary
He is survived by Alyce, his beloved wife of 62 years, his children Mary and Rick Stearnes of Memphis TN, John Guichelaar and Jennifer Drake of Grand Rapids MI, Steven and Cari Guichelaar of Indianapolis IN, many grandchildren, and a handful of great-grandchildren.
Phil was born in Brooten MN on January 25, 1941, the son of Rev. John Guichelaar, a minister in the Christian Reformed Church, and Hattie Anne Vandermeer Guichelaar, a teacher. He was educated at the University of Michigan, earning his BS degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1964 from the Dearborn Campus and his PhD in Metallurgical Engineering in 1969 from the Ann Arbor Campus. He was the Chief Engineer for the Advanced Products Division of The Gleason Works in Rochester NY from 1970 through 1976 and the Technical Director for The Abrasives Sector of The Carborundum Company in Niagara Falls NY from 1977 through 1986. He taught and conducted research at Western Michigan University from 1986 until his retirement as Professor of Mechanical Engineering in 2007. He served as a deacon and taught catechism in the Presbyterian church and was a Life Member of the Chautauqua Scientific and Literary Circle.
Phil and Alyce moved to Memphis in 2007 to be near their daughter Mary and children. It is here that Phil and Alyce joined Idlewild Presbyterian Church. In 2014, Phil and Alyce moved into The Village at Germantown. He enjoyed boating, reading, the arts, spending time with his family and a good dry joke.
Phil chose to donate his remains to Genesis to further medical research. Private memorial services will be held in Memphis and Grand Rapids Michigan at a later date. His ashes will be interred in Kalamazoo Michigan at 1st Presbyterian Church.
For those who wish to contribute to his memory, please contribute to a charity of the donor's choice.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Philip Guichelaar
Stacy Gardner
September 17, 2024
I just happened to look up an old email today and saw Dr. Guichelaar´s name. I was wondering what he was up to and once I did a Google search I came across this unfortunate news that he passed earlier this year. My condolences to the family as I worked with Dr. G at Western Michigan University as a student receptionist in the mechanical, aeronautical engineering department. From what I remember he was a very friendly, funny professor that I interacted with in the office and I remember keeping in touch with him once I graduated. A true gem of a person!
Del Thomas
May 30, 2024
Dr. Guichelaar was one of the most significant mentors I´ve had in my life. I was a student of his from 1990 to 1995. During that time, I went from taking his classes to being his teaching assistant to being a lab assistant. He helped get me one of my first internships and brought me back to be a lab instructor for 8 years after I graduated. When I heard he was retiring, I gathered every alumni I knew to throw him a small surprise party. The opportunities he gave me were foundational in the development of my career. I owed him much, and I will miss him.
Sharon Farrington
April 5, 2024
I have such sweet memories of Uncle Phil from all different seasons of my life. I think my favorite is the Christmas he and his family spent in San Diego with us when I was young. He was so kind and always interested in what I was doing. I will miss him.
Patt Nowak
March 27, 2024
My condolences to Alyce and her children on the passing of Phil. I was his secretary when he worked at Carborundum in Niagara Falls, NY. I couldn't have asked for a nicer boss. RIP Phil, you make coming into work each day a pleasure.
John Gesink
March 16, 2024
Our sincerest condolences and sympathies to Phil´s family. Phil was a life long friend to me. We went to grade school together in Denver in the late 1940´s. His father was the minister at my grandfather´s funeral in 1948. In the 1960´s we were fellow students at the University of Michigan, Dearborn Campus, where we both earned degrees in Mechanical Engineering, and, later in Ann Arbor where we both earned our Ph.D.´s. Also, in Ann Arbor, we both started our families while residing in U of M married student housing and our wives, Alyce and Dorian, as new mothers, became friends. After Ann Arbor we built our careers separately until the mid-1980´s when we both took positions as engineering professors at Western Michigan University. We were there until Phil retired in 2007. Subsequently we frequently corresponded. Given this lifelong association and its abundance of memories and interconnections makes Phil´s passing so much more poignant for me. He was a special friend and a trusted colleague. He made my life richer and fuller particularly with his sense of humor, his problem-solving ability, his analytical ability, and his leadership ability. He was a good person and I will miss him. Phil, rest in peace.
Barb Sharrow
March 10, 2024
Uncle Phil was one of my favorite people. He was so encouraging throughout my life, always ready to hear what was going on. He was a natural storyteller and had lots of them. He loved delving into family history and ensured we knew what he learned. I will miss him. He contributed a lot to this world.
Molly Williams
March 9, 2024
Phil was a valued teacher, researcher, mentor, colleague, and friend. He will be missed.
Crystal +Art Manchester
March 8, 2024
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
David DeVries
March 8, 2024
Sincere condolences to the entire family. Uncle Phil was an amazing man, whose education and work motivated me throughout my career.
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