Keith Reese Phillips

After a full life dedicated to faith, family, and service, Keith Phillips passed away at the age of 90 on March 20th, 2025. His family and friends treasure every moment they shared with him, as do those he taught, mentored and led over the years in his career as coach, teacher, camp director and administrator. He demonstrated servant leadership throughout his life, and his abiding commitment to faith, family and community were a foundation he lived by, and that he instilled in others.

Keith was devoted to and beloved by Susie Phillips, his wife of 70 years, and his family. He loved fly fishing and family fishing trips to Alaska, gardening, reading, following his favorite teams, discussing politics, attending games and performances by his children and grandchildren.

Keith was born on July 27, 1934, in a canvas wall-tent in the mountains of Idaho to Bill and Mary Phillips. They often recounted sending for a doctor from the nearest town to come for his delivery, their dismay at not being able to pay for his services in that moment, and their determination to pay him back in full and with interest.

In his early years, the family pursued work at fruit orchards throughout Washington and Oregon during the depression, eventually settling in Selah, Washington, where they worked up to owning a small ranch and orchard. Keith left for school early in the mornings, went to sports practices each day after school, and then came home to help his family on the orchard in the evenings and on the weekend. As a teenager, he treasured time with his many aunts and cousins in Enterprise and Joseph, Oregon, where his parents grew up, as well as with family near Weiser, Idaho and Le Grande, Oregon. HHe spent the summer working on family farms, roaming the mountains and fishing the rivers and streams.

Keith was an exceptional baseball player. He earned State All-Star honors at Selah High School, and played in the state all-star game where he was coached by Lefty O'Doul, and who he credited with "teaching me how to successfully execute the 'hook slide' into 2nd base". Keith translated his baseball talent into an athletic scholarship to play baseball and basketball at Seattle Pacific College (University), where he credited coaches Dale Parker and Ken Foreman as lifelong mentors.

In 1956, Keith graduated from Seattle Pacific, becoming the first in his family to earn a college degree. That same summer he married Susie Phillips, the love of his life, and his partner in raising children, moving across the country and back again, and dedicating their lives to family, faith and community.

Although Keith's success as a baseball player earned him accolades and multiple offers to sign with major league baseball teams, he chose instead to enter the teaching profession, starting out at Eisenhower High School in Yakima. Keith laughed when thinking about what those early years were like; he recounted being hired in part because of his willingness to take on whatever role they asked him to. He later shared "I grew up in the Depression, and to parents who did whatever they needed to do to take care of their family. I spent those first years teaching PE, History, Economics and Driver's Ed. They asked me to coach tennis, and when I pointed out that didn't play tennis, they said 'coaching is coaching. And we need a coach.' So... I learned how to coach tennis."

Those early lessons guided Keith throughout his career. He embraced hard work as essential to success, took full advantage of opportunities, embraced change as opportunity, and approached every situation as an opportunity for growth. He was a life-long learner with a "growth mindset" long before those terms were popularized. Keith, Susie and their first child Randy lived in Grainger, Washington, while he taught at Eisenhower and finished his master's degree.

In 1961, Keith secured what he considered a dream job teaching in the Seattle School District, and he and Susie looked forward to returning to friends and family in Seattle. So when Pastor John Dunlap of the Tabernacle Church in Norfolk Virginia reached out with an offer to work at a fledgling school (Norfolk Christian) and summer camp (the Triple R Ranch) that they'd started, Keith thought, "those are places I never heard of and have no interest in visiting, I have a great job, and in Seattle. I have no idea why he thinks it's something I'd consider." But Mr. Dunlap persisted, Keith and Susie kept a prayerful open mind, and soon it became clear to them that "The Lord has called us to Norfolk." They packed up their belongings and family, and trundled off to Norfolk.

During his years in Norfolk, Keith founded a basketball program that went from a fledgling to a perennially championship team, and while the trophies piled up in the display case and several of his players went on to college basketball careers, Keith's focus was always the lives of the young men he helped guide and shape. More than 50 years later, his former players requested that a newly renovated basketball court be named in his honor in appreciation for his impact and legacy.

While in Norfolk, he and Susie, his partner in all things, helped found and develop the Triple R Ranch, a western themed Christian summer camp in Chesapeake, where thousands of young people attended each summer. Keith noted, "camp life was hard, especially in those early days. The surroundings were swampy, hot and humid, with an abundance of mosquitoes and snakes. I coached and taught, so I really had three full time jobs. But it was meaningful and rewarding." And as Susie noted, "it was where the Lord wanted us, and we were doing the Lord's work - but we so missed Seattle."

After more than 15 years at Norfolk Christian and the Triple R, Keith became the Athletic Director, professor and coach at Eastern Mennonite College in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Once again, he put the community first, led by example, and built trust by modelling commitment, discipline and an open mind. Once again, he strengthened existing programs and built new ones; his signature achievements included the creation of a new and innovative outdoor camp and wilderness leadership degree and program at Eastern Mennonite.

Seven years later, to Keith and Susie's delight, they again heard God's call for a move, but this time it was back home to Seattle. Keith returned to Seattle Pacific University in 1990 as Athletic Director and professor. His achievements at Seattle Pacific included rebuilding numerous athletic programs, including several that became national champions. He led the design, fundraising and construction of a renovation of the Royal Brougham Pavilion, SPU's gymnasium. Keith had the vision and built the relationship that resulted in an innovative and unique partnership with SPU and Seattle Parks to develop Interbay Stadium.

An equally impressive and mission-aligned commitment was the support Keith gave to a vigorous intramural program; most college athletic directors are prone to seeing Intramurals as a distraction, or a competitor for resources. Keith saw intramurals as mission-aligned, and as an opportunity for students to make connections, encourage an active lifestyle, and build community. And throughout his time at Seattle Pacific, Keith focused on building and strengthening relationships with students, colleagues and faculty, the athletic and academic departments, alumni and the wider community. He mentored countless student athletes and coaches, opening doors that led to lifelong opportunities and lessons. Keith retired from Seattle Pacific in 1993, and remained active in the alumni association and in the wider community.

After retirement he worked as a consultant, helped start a family business, and served in a variety of leadership and volunteer roles at several churches in the Seattle area. Throughout his career, Keith served in leadership positions on numerous boards and professional associations, in the churches his family attended, and with the Seattle Parks board.

While many knew him as a coach, teacher, leader or colleague, his grandchildren knew him only as Pappy. They loved hearing his stories, but more importantly he loved hearing theirs. He was steadfast in showing up for and celebrating their shows, games, graduations, and asking them about their interests. He listened to them, delighted in them, advised and encouraged them.

Keith is loved, missed and celebrated by his wife Susie; children Randy & spouse Karen, Beth and spouse Sam, Rob and spouse Jen; grandchildren Kaitlyn & spouse Chad, Josh & spouse Tamura, Becca, Jonathan & spouse Mariah, Garrett and Quentin; great grandchildren Millie and Rain; as well as his extended family members. Not to mention his many friends, colleagues, and all of those who have called him "Coach."

All who loved Keith will think of him every time they watch a baseball game, cast a fly rod, take a tool down from a carefully organized tool rack and then put it away in the right place, enjoy cheese and crackers and smoked salmon, plant a tulip or prune a rose bush, drive by an orchard, visit Wallowa Lake, eat ice cream, and gather together for family celebrations and regret that they only have one appetite to give a meal.

Friends and family of Keith Phillips are welcome to join a celebration of his life on May 31st at 1pm. The ceremony will be held in the Beachwood Lounge at Warm Beach Senior Community 20420 Marine Dr, Stanwood, WA 98292. Cards may be sent to Susie at this address.