KUDER, Phil
(Age 68)

Passed away at his home on Wednesday, January 10, 2018. He was born December 6, 1949 in Spokane, WA, the fifth child of Inez and Aloys Kuder. Phil graduated from Gonzaga Prep in 1968, and earned his degree in Electrical Engineering from Seattle University in 1972. He began teaching math and physics at Gonzaga Prep the following year, and continued until his retirement in 2017. He has been a department chair, a basketball coach, and for many years the golf coach, having won two state championships with the girls' golf teams. He was awarded the St. Aloysius Gonzaga Medal in June 2017 for his outstanding service to Gonzaga Prep.
Phil is survived by his wife of 40 years, Toni; his children Bill (Katie), Natale, Tom (Cyndi), and Christy (KC) Anderson; and his beloved grandchildren: Will, Matthew, Jenna, Lily, Rosie, Annie, and Summer. He is also survived by his siblings: Fr. Steve Kuder, S.J., Mary Beth (Dave) Celio, Marguerite (Mike) Busch, Ann (John Russell) Kuder, Janice (Creigh) House, and John (Celeste) Kuder, as well as many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank Hospice of Spokane for the incredible support and comfort provided during the last two months. Donations in Phil's name to Hospice of Spokane are welcome.
In his career at Prep, Phil was passionate and competitive about the annual Food Drive each November. He is legendary for the extraordinary amount of food his classes brought in every year. In lieu of flowers, donations may also be made to the 2018 Gonzaga Prep Food Drive in his name.
A prayer vigil will take place at the Gonzaga Prep Chapel, 1224 E. Euclid, Spokane, on Thursday, January 18 at 7:00 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, 330 E. Boone, Spokane, on Friday, January 19 at 2:00 p.m. Arrangements have been entrusted to:

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Spokesman-Review from Jan. 14 to Jan. 17, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for Phil KUDER

22 Entries

January 25, 2018

Peace & healing to you, Toni, and to your family. Our son-in-law, Tom Flanagan, had kept us updated on Phil's condition.
Warmly,
George Waldref - GU classmate

January 22, 2018

WIith sympathy and peace to the entire Kuder clan! I will remember him always as my son's physics teacher who encouraged him to build a wing and fly! Cheryl Kingen

January 20, 2018

Kuder Family
As I sat yesterday at the Mass for Phil, i remembered all the things about him that i marveled at. Hearing others speak about Phil helped me to remember him even better. He was a fantastic teacher/coach/mentor but most of all he was a wonderful Human being. I miss being able to bring my 9th grade clas into his room to show them this is how you do "Food Drive" Thanks for everything Phil Rest in God's arms now
Go Pups
Dave Carson

Zak Courson

January 19, 2018

Coach Kuder was truly an amazing man. Very grateful for all of the memories on the golf course we shared and very thankful to have him as a coach and a teacher.

Georgia Gauron

January 19, 2018

You were the greatest teacher on earth, rest in peace.

a loved one

Sent Flowers

Rick Liptack

January 17, 2018

Phil was a good neighbor, I'm sorry I didn't get to know well enough.

Sister Mary Annette Dworshak, SNJM

January 17, 2018

Prayers for all of you, especially in thanksgiving for Phil's kindness and dedication.

Urs

January 17, 2018

Phil, you were always larger than life. You were always there when I called you. Computer hates me. Program crashed. I always told you to watch both ways when you cross the street. Don't get hit by that bus! So many memories. You were a blessing to us all in the treasurers office. We could breathe when you came in. Everything is ok. Kuders here

January 16, 2018

Phil Kuder
The Kude
Kude
We were assigned seats in alphabetical order at St Augustine's and Gonzaga so The Kude sat immediately in front of me for 12 years. He was bigger than me so I could poke him or cuff him without being detected. Once in a while, in retaliation, Kude would take a backhand swing at me, and connect. He sometimes got in trouble for it while I played the choir boy. In grade school we hiked down to Cannon Hill pond with hockey sticks, skates, and shovels over our shoulders so we could shovel the pond and play. The last time I saw Phil was at the 15th G-Prep reunion 35 years ago. We were in the same foursome for the golf tourney and had a ball. The one guy I was really looking forward to seeing at the 50th reunion this summer was Phil. Specifically, I was looking forward to making him laugh. I loved that big grin and the way he squinted his eyes when he laughed. I was deeply saddened for hear of his passing. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. Please accept my deepest sympathy.

Jim Luby

Richard Caldwell

January 16, 2018

Thank you, Mr. Kuder, for your excellence in teaching and your great kindness to me and so many other students. I have thought of you many times over the years. Thank you, again!

Jack Sheehan

January 16, 2018

I went all through grade school and high school with Phil. A gifted athlete, a classy guy, and an occasional fun golfing partner. Like others, I greatly admire his lifelong devotion to Gonzaga Prep. Having not seen him for 40 years, I peeked my head into his classroom about seven years ago just to see if he remembered me. He took a long look, then said, "How's your golf game?" I'm glad we had that last chance to get acquainted. Phil will be missed by many.

Rebecca Moran

January 15, 2018

I feel so blessed to have had Mr. Kuder as a teacher. He taught me about perseverance and how to take myself less seriously. His laughter still makes me smile! Rest in peace.

Maryellen Johnson

January 15, 2018

I had the great privilege of playing on the girls golf team for four years under Coach Kuder's guidance. It was the best and most lasting experience of my HS life having this wonderful, gentle giant spend hours each week with us on the course providing both golf and more importantly life lessons to us. Deeply saddened to hear of Mr. Kuder's passing. Prayers to Toni and the extended family. Maryellen Johnson, GP Class of 1981

Jennifer GRECO

January 15, 2018

I have so many good memories of this wonderful man - his humor, his passion and his patience! There aren't many teachers I remember, but Mr. Kuder was one I will never forget.

Bob Delaney

January 15, 2018

My sincere condolences to Phil's wife, family and G Prep family, teachers and students. Phil was my classmate, teammate and occasional golfing friend in high school (even though our storied baseball coach Billy Frazier forbade mixing the golf swing with the baseball swing). We had great times for four years playing sports, and enjoying some very special and successful baseball moments together. I have so much respect for Phil for choosing to dedicate his professional career to teaching and coaching at GPrep.His legacy and impact on young people for over 40 years has been huge. Well done Phil.

Alice Kuder

January 15, 2018

My favorite memories are of 4th of July barbecues when we were kids. Happy trails cousin Phil.

Jennifer Wiley

January 15, 2018

Kuder was one of the most impressionable people in my life. His influence inspired me to pursue math/physics and ultimately informed my vocation as a life-long educator.

I was a kid that needed the extra kind of attention and care that only someone with his profound emotional intelligence could divine. He was like a dad to me and I hear and heed his advice in my heart to this day--over three decades later since I was in his classroom. He had an amazingly brilliant brain and an even bigger heart. He has impacted thousands and thousands of lives and was a fierce force for good!

He framed a way of thinking and being in the classroom (world) that has served as a foundation for how I go about my work in the schoolhouse and beyond. He insisted we reached just beyond the known. He wanted us to know "how" to think as opposed to what to think.

I loved and admired that guy so much and I would not be where I am or who I am were it not for his influence.

R.I.P. Phil Kuder. Long live Oscar and Angela!

Joe Pupo

January 14, 2018

Phil was great team mate, a tough competitor, a winner, a kind and humble man. I will cherish the good times we had in high school winning games and taking names. I met Phil when we were in the 8 th grade and it was an honor to be his friend. Rest in Peace Young Man, our prayers are with you and your family. Phil was one hell of a first baseman.

Lauren Anthony

January 14, 2018

Mr Kuder was one of the few teachers who helped me believe I could get it done. He put countless hours into helping me before and after school to understand what was confusing. He helped me believe that math may not be my strongest, but I can do it. He will be missed dearly and I am very glad I got to know him during my time at Prep. Sending lots of love to all his family and friends.

Lindsay Straub Vorse

January 14, 2018

Mr. K. You will be missed by many. Your unique spirit and giving heart challenged your students to live life with love and kindness for others. Thank you for helping to shape my life and making math fun. You will live on through your family, students, and all the lives you touched with your humanity and humility. RIP Mr. K

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