Richard Irving Phillips

Marshfield, VT

Richard Irving Phillips died peacefully on August 7, 2025, at home in Marshfield, VT, surrounded by his loving family. Rich was born on August 6, 1944, in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, the youngest of 4 children born to Roger and Ruth (Franz) Phillips. He will be remembered for his perseverance and strong work ethic, his deep care for his community, his friendly and humorous nature, and his unfailing love of family.

Rich spent his younger years in Lincoln, RI, prior to the family moving to a small diary farm in New Braintree, MA. On the farm, Rich learned the self-sufficiency and dogged determination that would characterize the rest of his life.

In 1964, Rich married the love of his life, Kathryn Alice Small, in the small New Braintree, MA church they both attended. He often said this was "the best decision of his life".

Following graduation from North Brookfield (MA) High School in 1962, Rich attended Northeastern University in Boston, MA and graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering and a Master's Degree in Environmental Engineering.

Rich immediately began using his knowledge and can-do attitude to help others. In 1968, Rich joined the Public Health Service and moved with his family to Shiprock, New Mexico. Rich began working on a Navajo Indian Reservation, where he helped implement water and wastewater improvements for the Navajo people.

After 2 years in New Mexico, the family relocated to Vermont. In 1971, Rich and Kass purchased the old Dodge homestead on Hollister Hill in Marshfield, where they would live for the remaining 54 years of Rich's life. He took great pride in his work of rebuilding the old farmhouse and barn, as well as refurbishing antique cars and tractors. Rich was a true jack-of-all-trades, and valued self-reliance and a strong work ethic.

In the professional realm, Rich had a very successful 35-year career with the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation. As a senior manager, he created and then led the Enforcement Division and then the Environmental Assistance Division. He was well regarded for his good humor and skill as a communicator and manager. Rich found it deeply important to always show appreciation for people doing good work.

Rich was very dedicated to his adopted hometown of Marshfield, VT. Some of the civic accomplishments of which he was most proud include: serving on the Selectboard (and playing a significant role in helping the town recover from disastrous flooding in 1984), planning, designing, and leading the volunteer effort to build the Bandstand at The Marshfield Old Schoolhouse Common, and spearheading the effort to save the Martin Bridge and create the Martin Covered Bridge Park. He was also involved with the creation of the ballfield in Marshfield and stewarding the Virginia Stranahan Memorial Town Forest, among numerous other projects.

Rich was never one to sit still. In his "free" time from his job and his civic interests, there was always a long list of other projects to occupy his time. He was passionate about the environment and served on the Marshfield Energy Committee for many years. He was also an avid traveler and often regaled his family with anecdotes of camping trips that reached every corner of the US.

Despite his busy schedule, Rich's family was his greatest joy. After having two sons, Nathan's wife JoAnn became the "daughter of his heart". The true apples of Rich's eye were his two granddaughters. No matter the situation, even in the toughest times of Rich's recent health struggles, the sight of his "girls", or hearing of their latest adventures was always sure to put the biggest, beaming smile on his face. He also took great pride in the compassion and dedication of his sons as they took on their own community projects. His wife remained a steadfast and cherished companion for 61 years.

Rich is survived by his beloved wife Kathryn (Kass), his two sons, Tim and Nathan, his daughter-in-law, JoAnn, and his granddaughters, Rachael and Katie, and well as two brothers, David (Fran) and Carl (Anne). He was predeceased by his parents, Roger and Ruth (Franz) Phillips and his sister, Barbara Phillips.

A private committal service will be held at Eaton Cemetery at the convenience of the family. A celebration of Rich's life, which all family and friends are invited to attend, will take place in Marshfield in the fall, with details to follow.

Rich's family wishes to express their special thanks to the Palliative Care team at Central Vermont Hospital and the Central Vermont Home Health and Hospice team, both of whom provided excellent care and support of Rich and the family through his final days.

To honor Rich's memory, the family asks that you do a kind deed for a neighbor, or volunteer to help in your community.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Richard Phillips Memorial Fund c/o Town of Marshfield, 122 School Street, Room 1, Marshfield, VT 05658. These funds will be used by the Town of Marshfield to support civic improvements at town facilities that were important to Rich including: the village bandstand, the village ballfield, the Martin Bridge Park, the Stranahan Forest, and the Old Schoolhouse Common building.