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Philip James WELLER

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Eastern Washington University Kent State University Washington State University

Philip WELLER Obituary

WELLER, Philip James (Age 79) November 13, 1941 - February 1, 2021 Philip James Weller, beloved husband, father, and brother, died on February 1, 2021. Born in Sumner, Washington on November 13, 1941, Philip earned his BA at the University of Puget Sound, his MA at Washington State University, and his PhD at Kent State University. He spent his entire, 50+ year career teaching British literature at Eastern Washington University. In addition to enriching countless students' lives with an appreciation of Shakespeare, Dr. Weller devoted innumerable hours to his personal website, Shakespeare-navigators.com in order to share his love for the Bard with a world-wide audience. He is survived by his cherished wife, Lavonne Weller, and his children, Benjamin Weller, Gregory Weller (Jessica), Rosalind Weller, Matthew Rundberg, and Jackie Lassiter (Nigel). He also shared a strong bond with his sister, Kathryn Bowman. We are eternally grateful to Hospice of Spokane for their kindness and support, which were invaluable to our family in the final weeks. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to this wonderful organization in memory of Philip.

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

Published by Spokesman-Review on Feb. 7, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Philip WELLER

18 Entries

Julie Anne Blake

June 17, 2025

Great Professor!

Ivan

November 28, 2022

In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.

John O´Hare

September 4, 2022

Used Dr Wellers website many times on my studies and for my own students. Genius and one of the greatest scholars on Renaissance literature. The passion and love of Shakespeare in particular inspired many including myself who never met him physically or in even conversation, but understood him through his written advise and insight ! Rest In Peace

Neil

April 26, 2022

I appreciate the website that he made. It is quite helpful. RIP

Tom Hanks, Baylor University

November 25, 2021

I'm sorry that the scholarly world has lost Dr. Weller, and more sorry that you who loved him have lost him. I have just used his web site, and intended to write to thank him for it. Let me tell you, instead, that his work lives on, and is useful to other writers. A continuing memorial to a dedicated teacher and scholar. Tom Hanks, Baylor University

Mat Teakle, Sydney, Australia

July 6, 2021

I just wanted to say how much myself and my students have benefited from Shakespeare Navigators over the years. I love that site, it's a gem. You have my sympathy. I only noticed today the dates for Dr Weller's lifetime when I was looking up the well-worn Othello Navigator. '

To die, to sleep; To sleep, perchance to dream...'

Kindly, Mat Teakle, Teakle Tutoring, Sydney.

English Teacher

May 9, 2021

I, like other educators, love Dr Weller's website and use it every time I teach. I listed myself as a student - I always learnt something new from you. Thank you for sharing your wisdom, your insight, and your deep understanding of Shakespeare. May your family smile at their memories of you.
From an English teacher in Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia.

Alden Sherrill

April 10, 2021

I didn't know Dr. Weller personally, in fact, I didn't know him at all. The only connection I have is the fact that I use his Shakespeare website quite often in order to survive English class. However, upon realizing that the dates at the top of his website marked his recent death, I decided to find his obituary to see if such a wonderful scholar was really gone. I know that I'm a stranger and most likely my word on his life doesn't matter, but I would like to say thank you. Surprisingly, in this very brief encounter I've had with Dr. Weller's work, he has managed to make me more invested in Shakespeare than any of my past teachers have. If that's not a true mark of a good teacher, academic, and educator, then I don't know what is. So to Dr. Weller: Thank you. And to all that supported him- his family, friends, and students: Thank you too. You have gotten the privilege of knowing someone who truly cares about their passion, and it shines in everything they do.

Alisyn Waite

February 22, 2021

I had Dr. Weller for my Shakespeare class at EWU in 2019. He was funny, kind, and giving. He brought candy to class all the time, especially lemon heads, because he said they ate lemon candy when watching Shakespeare's plays. So we would eat candy and watch the plays in modern times. He let us play games to learn in class, which was fun and engaging. It was funny that we had to help him with starting the computer every day. He also gave lots of life advice, which was awesome

Tyler Kirk

February 20, 2021

Dr. Weller was one of the best professors I've had while at Eastern Washington University. He was a sweet man that was very patient and passionate. I am sad that the Shakespeare class in Fall quarter of 2019 would be the last time I got to see him. We had many thoughtful conversations before and after class. he is a professor who I will remember for all my years. I am sending my sincerest love to all of his family. I will never forget Dr. Weller for as long as I live.

Oran Bordwell

February 18, 2021

Dr. Weller was phenomenally approachable and understanding--I took his Shakespeare class fall quarter of 2019, my first quarter at Eastern and my only class in which we would become acquainted. Even while I dealt with the stresses and struggles of transferring to a new college and living with a sleeping disorder and mental health issues, Dr. Weller allowed and encouraged me to attend class only when I felt able. I adored his class most of all that quarter, and even then was only able to attend every-other day, but in that time I learned more about Shakespeare and about the kindness and empathy of Eastern faculty than I ever could have expected. While I only took one of his classes, it was clear to me the passion and integrity with which Dr. Weller worked and lived: from our first day of class wherein he teared up recalling one of Shakespeare's plays, to the final day of class where--afterward--he sat in a chair in the hall outside our classroom, the palms of his hands resting behind his relaxed head as he asked me about my future as a student, saying, "I hope to see you around next year." I wouldn't return to Eastern's campus in light of the Coronavirus pandemic, and so that would be the last time I saw him. His passing, to me, is just as heart-wrenching as any of Shakespeare's tragedies: he is a professor who I will remember for all my years. My sincerest love to his friends, family, and loved ones.

Rebekah Creshkoff

February 14, 2021

I am so sorry to learn of Dr. Weller’s passing. During the pandemic, I have been hosting Zoom readings of plays, mostly by Shakespeare, and his website has been a magnificent resource. I regret having postponed too long writing to thank him for so generously sharing his knowledge and expertise. The site is truly a useful gift to the world. My condolences to his family.

Lorin

February 11, 2021

Dr. Weller was a wonderful professor. He brought Shakespeare to life for many of his students. His passion for teaching was clear, and he always made time to stop and say hello in the hallways of Patterson. My deepest condolences to his wife and children.

Jeff Wieck

February 11, 2021

A wonderful teacher that shared his love for Elizabethan Literature! I still can recite the Shakespearean sonnet we were required to memorize and present in his class.