Philip Leo Colgan

1952 - 2018

Philip Leo Colgan
WYOMING - Dr. Philip Leo Colgan, 65, of San Francisco, California, formerly of Wyoming, a noted teacher and clinical psychologist, passed away quietly from cancer on Tuesday, October 9, 2018, with family by his side. Frederic Chopin, his favorite piano composer, was playing in the background.
Philip was the seventh of twelve children in a large loving Irish Catholic Family from Wyoming, Illinois. He was born on November 20, 1952, in Kewanee, IL, the son of Majella Harty Colgan and Joseph Patrick Colgan, who made their home in Wyoming from 1947.
He is survived by his husband, George Leonard "Geol" Weirs of San Francisco, CA; and ten siblings, Judy (Bob) Curran of Elmwood, IL, Joanne (Gene) Gill of Wyoming, IL, Tim (Patty) of Wyoming, IL, Colleen Colgan of San Francisco, CA, Paul (Phyllis) of Wheaton, IL, Jane (John) Francis of Boise, ID, Susan (Ken) Knapp of Magnolia, IL, Marty (Sue) of Palatine, IL, Greg of Redondo Beach, CA, and Tom (Gloria) Colgan of Glen Ellyn, IL; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Patrick J. Colgan.
The "sweet prince" of his extended family and large "whirlpool of friends," Philip was always available to lend a sympathetic ear and offer compassionate advice to anyone in need. Philip loved hosting family and friends for dinner parties in his San Francisco home, where he would play his beloved grand piano.
Philip also enjoyed his role as loving uncle to his many nieces and nephews. He introduced them to the beauty of San Francisco and the Bay Area, advised them on life's many choices and challenges, and inspired them to lead lives full of joy, education, tolerance, meaning and helping others.
Philip and his husband, Geol, showed how true love cherishes your partner and appreciates differences. He taught that love is not being blind to color or gender, it's about loving who your partner is and embracing their individual personality.
Philip's fondest memories were about growing up in small town Illinois. He loved to talk about summer thunderstorms and the farmland, especially the "Wyoming Valley." He would bounce in his car seat the exact moment he entered the Valley!
In addition to his lifelong passion for playing the piano, Philip loved and appreciated the arts and culture. He often took a niece or nephew to museums to share his deep knowledge and passion for various styles of paintings, sculpture, furniture and architecture. He always headed immediately to the Impressionist Gallery.
Dr. Colgan, Ph.D., was a psychologist in private practice in San Francisco. He loved counseling his patients, helping them to solve problems and to improve their lives, relationships and work.
Dr. Colgan earned a Bachelor's Degree from St. Ambrose University, a Master's Degree from the University of Iowa, and a Doctorate of Philosophy in Psychology from the University of Minnesota.
Dr. Colgan began his professional career as a faculty member at the Program in Human Sexuality at the University of Minnesota. While deeply involved in the Sexual Attitude Reassessment Seminars (SAR) offered by the Program, he developed the first SAR for gay men in 1977. From there, he joined the faculty of Department of Family Social Science, where he directed the Alcohol and Drug Counseling Education Program. Dr. Colgan was awarded the Distinguished Teaching Award at the University of Minnesota.
Dr. Colgan first developed a private practice in the Twin Cities and later moved it to San Francisco. He taught at San Francisco City College and Diablo Valley College, where he was awarded the Exemplary Service Award by Diablo for excellence in teaching and service to the profession.
Dr. Colgan served on the advisory committee to the Center on Substance Abuse Treatment, National Addiction Technology Transfer Center. Philip was a featured writer on addiction for McGraw/Hill, the educational publishers.
In his clinical practice, Dr. Colgan specialized in counseling individuals and couples with issues of anxiety, attachment, intimacy or sexuality, as well as addiction. He also was a master teacher and international lecturer who trained psychotherapists around the globe.
In honor of Philip, and in his own words, we invite you to "do something pleasurable, sociable and kind today."
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to the UMN Medical School's Program in Human Sexuality's Sexuality and Aging Professorship, Fund #21697 (http://z.umn.edu/philipcolgan); or the Illinois Cancer Care Foundation, 8940 N. Wood Sage Road, Peoria, IL 61615.
The visitation will be held from 9 to 10 a.m. Friday, October 19, 2018, at Haskell-Hott Funeral Homes in Wyoming, IL. The funeral Mass will follow at 10:30 a.m. at St. Dominic Catholic Church in Wyoming. The burial service will be in St. Dominic Cemetery, Wyoming.
To leave online condolences for Philip's family on his tribute wall, please visit www.haskellhott.com.