Philip Harris Bohart

Philip Harris Bohart, Jr. (Felipe)
Dec. 28, 1930- Sept. 8, 2010

My father and best friend, Philip Harris Bohart (Felipe to all of his friends) 79, passed away on the morning of Sept. 8, 2010 during a torrential rain storm in Austin.
Daddy was a gregarious, fun-loving, smart-as-a-whip, larger-than-life, imperfect man.
He was a Marine, football player, rodeo bronco rider, and a poet.
To me: he was a master jack-o-lantern carver, terrific story-teller, the most patient listener a friend could have, and the best bear hugger 'this side of the Mississippi'.
Felipe was born on Dec. 28, 1930 in San Antonio, Texas but spent his early childhood in Tampico, Mexico - here he gained his love of food, family, and fun!
He was the son of Philip Harris Bohart, Sr. who achieved Executive VP of Gulf Oil Company and Margaret Wiegand, "Monco" to her friends; little brother to Betty Ann.
As a vital part of the growing oil industry, my grandfather moved his young family to Tulsa, Ok. where Felipe gained some of his best friends he would retain his whole life.
For high school, Daddy attended St. Alban's boarding school in Washington, DC. where he developed his athletic grace in seasonal sports & most notably boxed in the Golden Gloves regional competition. He also gained a stronger appreciation for his Episcopalian up-bringing by participating as an Acolyte in the National Cathedral.
At 19, Daddy enlisted in the Naval Air Cadets, graduating as a carrier pilot in a Marine Corps Squadron. He was wounded twice while becoming an Ace. 5 months later, Daddy returned to his studies at the University of Oklahoma; going on to earn his BS dual degrees in both Geology & Petroleum Engineering. Daddy went on to complete his Master's in Geological Engineering and a PhD in Geology. Upon graduating, with Vietnam on the horizon, Daddy served a second "hitch" in the Marines. He served in one of the first American units there, as Commanding Officer of the newly-formed Navy Seals.
After marrying his first love my mom, KK to all of her friends, Daddy started his life long relationship with his second love, Geology in Midland, TX.
This became my hometown along with my 2 brothers' Kevin & Chris.
Midland was where Felipe had some of his best and worst times of his life.
It was here that he pursued his passion of flying a Stearman, open-cockpit bi-plane; it was here that he experienced a plane crash which lost his dear friend and ultimately Daddy's leg.
After re-building his body, Daddy went on to build his career as an International Petroleum Consultant home-based in London, England. For 16 years, he impacted the field of geology moving through over 30 countries, including Western Europe, Nigeria, The North Sea, Mozambique, Egypt, Trinidad, Indonesia, and Ireland. Daddy impacted the future of the industry as well by teaching "Petroleum Geology" in England's Royal Academy.
Daddy spent his retired years with me, his daughter Kelly Bohart.
For his 21st birthday, my grandfather surprised my dad with all of Daddy's childhood & school friends wearing tuxedos & waiting to toast him @ the Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa.
For this last 'birthday', I know his dad and all of his friends where there to toast his arrival once again!
Daddy's wishes were to have his ashes spread on a Texas ranch beneath a tree, near a brook, surrounded by horses - this coming spring, we will realize this dream!

In remembering my dad: if you will please think of him through his favorite things:
Wind rustling in the trees - his favorite plant of all!
Eating a bologna sandwich
Listening to Janis Joplin perform " Me & Bobby McGee"
Re-reading "Moby Dick"
Watching horses frolic and run in a field or- a dog a sleep on his back

Should you wish, in lieu of flowers please give generously to your local SPCA.
Thank you my friends for listening
~k

High Flight ~ John Gillespie McGee, 1941
O! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth
And danced the skies on laughter silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds- and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of-
Wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hovering there,
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air.

Up, the long, delirious, burning blue
I've tapped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, or even eagle flew-
And, while with silent lifting mind I've trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand and touched the face of God.