Philip Trounstine

1949 - 2022

Philip J. Trounstine III
July 30, 1949 - April 11, 2022
Aptos, California - Phil Trounstine, an esteemed, insightful, and passionate California political journalist who found his greatest joy as the beloved patriarch of his family, passed away peacefully in his sleep on April 11, 2022. He was 72.
As a reporter, Phil was so determined and fearless he earned the nickname "Mad Dog." As a colleague and friend, he was frank and funny, with a vast store of kindness and generosity which he sometimes hid beneath a gruff exterior. As a husband, father, grandfather, brother and son he was devoted and doting, delighting in raucous conversations at dinner and elaborate family vacations.
His life and work touched scores of people and he leaves behind a vast network of those whose lives were immeasurably improved for having known him.
Philip J. Trounstine III was born in Cincinnati, Ohio to Henry Philip Trounstine and Amy Joseph (May) Trounstine on July 30th, 1949.
Phil grew up alongside his sisters, Jean Trounstine and Peggy (Trounstine) Breitbart, in a historic Jewish enclave of the city and attended North Avondale Elementary School and Walnut Hills High School. During childhood summers spent at Lake Charlevoix, Michigan, and Camp Kooch-i-ching, in Minnesota, Phil learned a deep love of nature and honed his competence as an outdoorsman. His time as a camper and as a counselor were pivotal to the development of Phil's skills as a leader and community builder, and led to many lifelong relationships. Phil was a mischievous, gregarious, and loyal friend who, from a young age, loved language and displayed enormous talent as a writer.
After high school, Phil attended the University of Vermont and Stanford University before earning a BA at San Jose State University. Amid the tumult of the 1960s and 70s, he worked tirelessly to help end the war in Vietnam, joining the radical anti-war group, Venceremos, and the Midpeninsula Free University.
Phil received his degree in Journalism after serving as Editor in Chief for the Spartan Daily, the student newspaper at San Jose State. His ability and gifts as a journalist landed him the Eugene S. Pulliam Fellowship at the Indianapolis Star where he began his career as an investigative reporter.
In 1978, Phil returned to California, accepting a position on the local desk at the San Jose Mercury News, a post that provided him inspiration and material for his co-authored book, Movers and Shakers: The Study of Community Power. He spent the next 20 years reporting for the Mercury News, moving up the ranks to become the paper's Political Editor, covering countless campaigns, from contests for City Hall offices to Governor, U.S. Senate, and numerous presidential races.
Phil saw the work of journalism, and speaking truth to power, as crucial components to the maintenance of democracy. He loved to debate and challenge, and he had a wide and deep understanding of the political landscape. He also had a wicked sense of humor, which he wielded to prick the arrogance, pretension, and vanity of pompous politicians.
As he wrote biting political satire set to the music of show tunes for San Jose's annual Gridiron show, Phil was gaining a reputation, among the California press corps and beyond, as a smart, savvy and perceptive political analyst who, among other accomplishments, chronicled the growing influence, importance and reach of Silicon Valley.
In 1998, Phil put down his reporter's notebook to join the administration of Gray Davis, serving as Communications Director for the newly-elected California Governor. He resigned his post in 2003, to launch the Survey and Policy Research Institute at San Jose State University -- and to dedicate more time to his favorite sport - golf.
Phil could not stay away from reporting for long, however, and in 2009 co-founded CalBuzz, a popular website that provided news, commentary and analysis of California politics.
Family was of tremendous importance to Phil. His children, Jessica and David Trounstine, were born during the early years of his career. His first marriage was to Mary Catherine Luce and ended in 1989. Phil met the love of his life, Deborah (Debbie) Elaine Williams, two years later at a momentous party.
When they married on May 1, 1993, Phil and Debbie blended their families and Phil gained three more children, Amy (Wilkes) Vegter, Ryan Wilkes, and Patrick Wilkes. Phil and Debbie traveled widely around the world, pursuing their mutual love of culture, cuisine, and entertainment.
Phil's eight grandchildren Leah, Eliza, Elliott, Braeden, Sophia, Hugo, Henry, and Clara, were his utmost pride and joy.
The loss of Phil Trounstine is profound.