PHILLIP E. GUTMAN SR.

PHILLIP E. GUTMAN SR., 87, of Fort Wayne, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, Dec. 22, 2017. Born Jan. 5, 1930, in Fort Wayne, he was the son of Fronc Gutman and Beulah (Holman) Gutman. He graduated from North Side High School and attended Indiana University on a football scholarship, receiving a B.S. in Business Administration. While in the undergraduate program at IU, he was an active member of the Air Force ROTC. He served in the Air Force as a 1st Lieutenant from 1952 to 1954. After his military service, Phil returned to Indiana University and received his Doctor of Jurisprudence in Law. He met his wife, Carolyn (Prickett) Gutman in Bloomington, Ind., and they were married on Sept. 3, 1955. They moved to Fort Wayne to make their home. Phillip became a partner in the law firm of Rothberg, Gallmeyer, Fruechtenicht and Logan. He later joined Summers and Company (which subsequently merged into Hilliard Lyons) as a municipal investment banker in public finance. Phillip served as a precinct committee man and ward chairman. He also served in the Indiana State Senate from 1969 through 1976. He was elected and served as President Pro Tempore of the Indiana State Senate from 1971 through 1976. During his service in the Indiana State Senate he encouraged numerous reforms that modernized the Indiana General Assembly. He served as Chair of the Indiana Code Revision Commission, which organized the acts passed by the legislature since 1851 into a readable subject-matter code. In 1973 he supported the Bowen tax package that provided a framework for property tax relief. Phil served on numerous boards including: Parkview Memorial Hospital, University of Central Indiana (subsequently renamed University of Indianapolis), Rotary Club, Y.M.C.A., Quest Club, Life Member North Side Alumni Association and Concordia Educational Foundation, Inc. He also served his church as a charter member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church. He sat on several boards and committees in the Church; serving the Northern Indiana Conference of the United Methodist Church as chairman of the Finance Committee. Phillip was honored with a Sagamore of the Wabash award by Governor Otis R. Bowen. Phillip's greatest joy was his family He was a loving brother, husband, and a dedicated and loving father and grandfather. He is survived by his brother, Dr. Froncie A. (Bonnie) Gutman of Ohio; son, Phillip E. (Laura) Gutman Jr.; daughter, Gretchen K. Gutman (George Angelone); son, Kurt A. (Carrie) Gutman; and six grandchildren, Jaclyn E. Gutman, Phillip E. Gutman III, Andrew D. Gutman, Kathryn M. Gutman, Emily E. Gutman, and D. Joseph Gutman. Phil was preceded in death by his mother and father and his beloved wife of 56 years, Carolyn on Nov. 20, 2011. Memorial service is 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 5, 2018, at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 2417 Getz Road, with calling one hour prior. Visitation also from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 4, 2018, at D.O. McComb & Sons Pine Valley Park Funeral Home, 1320 East Dupont Road, Fort Wayne. Entombment to follow the service at Greenlawn Memorial Park, Fort Wayne. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Concordia Education Foundation, Inc. or Indiana University Athletics - Men's Soccer Program.