Phillip W. Mork

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University of Wisconsin

Phillip Mork Obituary

Mork, Phillip W. Age 70, died Sunday, Jan. 17, 2010, a year after sustaining a head injury while logging. Lifelong employee of Bucyrus Erie of South Milwaukee; he retired as President of the company in 1995. A judge referee for the sport of rowing for the past 14 years, he was the Midwest Region Chair for the USRA referee committee when his accident occurred. He served on the Pyramax Bank board of directors for 13 years. Born August 5, 1939, he is survived by Gail, his wife of 41 years. Father of Pamela (Mark) Mangelsdorf, Dr. Tiffany (Dr. Eric) Pifel, Dr. Suzannah (Jeff) Armentrout, and Shannon (Shane) Trego. Proud grandfather of Logan, Camden, Kieran, Phillip, Tyler, and 2 expected in May. Brother of Charles Mork and Barbara DePeaux. Services will be held on Friday, Jan. 22, at 3PM, at Molthen-Bell Funeral Home. Memorial gathering at 2PM until time of services. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made payable to the UW Foundation-Phillip Mork Memorial Fund, US Bank Lockbox 78807, Milwaukee, WI 53278. The Fund will support the University of Wisconsin Men's and Women's Rowing Crews in the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. His humor, fun, and positive outlook will be missed.

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Published by Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Jan. 20, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for Phillip Mork

14 Entries

Jim Bowen

January 14, 2023

Well Phil, another year has gone by and you are still in the memories of the Crew team you rowed with.
However, each year there are fewer of us to share
those memories. Some day in the future, we will all be together taking a "Power 10" again as a team.

Jim Bowen

January 17, 2020

Thank you for allowing us to share our remembrance of Phil as a fellow oarsman and as a person. It is easy to bring to mind his ever ready smile and especially his laugh that often came with the smile. Phil enjoyed life and had a positive impact on everyone that had the good fortune of knowing him. He was an integral part of our championship season in 1959 and is always remembered during our annual get together. He is missed by everyone who knew him.

February 2, 2010

Dear Gail and family,

I was stunned, and so deeply saddened to hear of Phil's death on January 17. When I first read it I sobbed and when I tried to tell my wife about Phil I began crying again. I can' t imagine how you must feel.

Phil was my roommate at the ATU house during college years. Phil was in my August 12, 1961 wedding to Lee Russell.

Although I was one year younger, I have always looked up to Phil. Good looking, athletic, funny, very smart (he was taking 18-20 credits a semester in Mechanical engineering while I was sliding through with 16 in Marketing) and was a man of great integrity and character.

I can picture him in so many different settings with his crew cut and great smile. Can picture him in our room in his underwear studying at his desk every night as most of the guys did in the house. While he was leading the Wisconsin crew to a championship I was a below average gymnast on a team with a marginal record. Both sports practised most of the year and both teams practised in the field house on Langdon st on Lake Mendota. The crew on the first floor, swimmers and divers on the second and gymnasts on the third. I would often see him there changing for practise or getting dressed after practise.

Saw Phil only occassionally after Madison, including an ATU Gamma Tau reunion in Madison in 2006. So loved that time and commented to my wife as we drove back how much better that was then a high school reunion. Concluded it was because we lived, ate, slept, studied and hosted ATU parties in the basement together.

My sympathy and prayers to each of you. That your memories of Phil would be joyful and tender, that you would further deepen as a family and that God blesses each of you through this time.

It was such an honor and privilege to have spent part of my life with such a wonderful human being as Phil. My regret is I didn't have more time with him.

With great respect and caring,

Joel Jennings, U. of W. 1960, Bloomington, Minnesota. [email protected]

Chris Wilkes

January 31, 2010

We were so surprised and sorry to hear of Phil's passing. We just heard yesterday here in Shanghai, via a friend from Mukwonago. I worked for Phil from 1975 to 1994 at Bucyrus. He was a wonderful boss and friend. I fondly remember our trips together South Africa, Australia, Korea,China,etc.; the hard work...but fun we had on long trips by train, boat, and bus; sharing a room at the overbooked Hengyang "Hilton" where hot water ran 1/2 hour a day; photos taken at the Great Wall, Forbidden City, etc; fish fries at Javelles on Lake Beulah; and car pooling after his mishap "with John Deere". Phil was a gem of a guy, a wonderful husband and father. Our oldest son Nick was a schoolmate of the twins at MHS, and we can only imagine how much they will miss him. I regret that we did not see each other after I left Bucyrus, but I thought of him often, and especially now. Rest in peace old friend.
Chris, Suzanne, and Nick Wilkes, January 31, 2010

Alex Jones

January 25, 2010

I had the brief pleasure of meeting Phil on a college football Saturday when Jeff and Suzannah were nice enough to let me stay at their place in Minneapolis. My impression of him was a man of great kindness and character. I think that resonates throughout his family. Very sorry for your loss.

Nicki Furru-Mike

January 22, 2010

I didn't know your dad/husband well, but enjoyed the opportunity to know him a little when I was a kid hanging out with Shannon and Suzannah and then again later in life from working at PyraMax Bank. I am so very sorry for your loss. Please accept my most sincere sympathies.

Jim Bowen

January 22, 2010

Phil's positive outlook on life along his infectious laugh were an integral part of the 1959 championship crew. He dedicated himself to the sport while competing, and that dedication contined throughout the rest of his life. He will long be remembered by his teammates and the many people he has touched during his life. Attached is a copy of a newspaper picture of the entire 1959 championship crew team.

January 22, 2010

Phil was a wonderful person, full of life and kindness. It was a joy to work regattas with him ever since he started refereeing. He was a great mentor for the new referees. His calm authority in stressful situations showed a respect for the sport of rowing and inspired rowers to respect the rules. His presence is greatly missed in the U.S./Canadian rowing community. Farewell to an all around wonderful person. We will be thinking of you all today. We are so sorry that other family obligations prevent us from attending Phil's service.

Randy & Janet Newberg

Sue Ela Jay Mimier

January 22, 2010

Through the years that I knew him as a board member of the former Wisconsin Rowing Association, as the parent of Pam, Suzannah and Shannon - members of the UW women's rowing teams, and later as a US Rowing official, I always remember him with a smile on his face, reflecting and sharing his perennial enthusiasm for life. Phil was tremendously proud of his family, and of his Wisconsin Rowing families.

Gail, my heart goes out to you, and to the girls and their families. Jay and I are proud to have known Phil, and feel lucky to have had him as a friend.

January 22, 2010

We were so sorry to hear about your loss. Even though we didn't know your father personally, we felt that we knew a little part or him through Christina and what a wonderful person and father he was. Peter and I send our deepest condolences to you and your family.

With our deepest sympathy,
Peter and Lois Taylor

January 21, 2010

Phil was respected by all who knew him. Casey and I are so sorry for your loss and that we won't be able to pay our respects in person. One of my memories of your father and husband was the popcorn he made on Sunday night on the stove. It was so yummy!! I always had so much fun when I got to visit/travel with the Mork family. I can't begin to express how sorry I am for your loss, but I know his spirit and love with live on through all of you. I feel so lucky to have known him.

Love you all lots- Christina and Casey Lee

Milette Krzyzanowski

January 21, 2010

Phil was respected and loved very much by all of his family. I am so sorry for your loss and that I am unable to pay my respects in person. You all have my prayers and deepest sympathy.

January 20, 2010

Phil, you will be greattly missed by many rowers on the rivers and lake of Wisconsin and around the midwest. Your support for the Tail of the Fox Regatta in Green Bay helped us get through 20 years. We will take a power 10 for you this spring when the river opens!

Steve and Paula Engelhardt
Little Suamico, WI

Krista Kregel

January 20, 2010

We love you Uncle Phil! We will cherish our times together, especially ones at the lake. Give Mom a kiss for us.
Love, Krista, Bob, Laura and Anna

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