DURST, Philip Phil Durst, a lawyer and collage artist, died on October 1, 2019, at age 62. Phil was the only child of Joseph Durst and Barbara Unger Durst. He was born on November 7, 1956, in New York City. After his mother's death, Phil and his father moved to Los Angeles and eventually Houston, where Phil graduated from Bellaire High School and the University of Houston. In both high school and college, Phil was a fierce interscholastic debater. (Oddly, Phil could never win a debate with his children.) Phil graduated from the UT law school in 1982. He started his legal career as an assistant Texas attorney general and eventually started a firm with his mentor David Richards and his friend Patrick Wiseman. For the past several decades, Phil has practiced civil rights and employment law with his friend Martha Owen, most recently as part of the firm Deats Durst & Owen. For many years Phil was an adjunct professor at the UT law school. His amazing assistant Gwen Shaw has been by his side throughout his career. Phil loved movies and the movie experience. He saw everything, regardless of quality or genre. When he wasn't at the movies, he could be found at Dart Bowl. He once took two days off work to try to beat his son's high score. (He succeeded.) Phil and Sarah Woelk, also a lawyer, were married for 34 years and had two children, Emma and Eli. Phil often referred to Sarah as his "long-suffering" wife, but their home was full of love and laughter (and groans when Phil workshopped his jokes). Phil was happy to have lived long enough to see the Astros win the World Series and to see the (disappointing) end of Game of Thrones. Phil is survived by his wife, Sarah Woelk; his daughter Emma Woelk and her husband Shawn Terryah; his son Eli Durst and Eli's wife Colombina Valera; and his granddaughter Maren. Phil is also survived by his cousins George Farkas and Amy Joshua and his sister-in-law Cynthia Woelk, her husband Tim Prince, and their extended family. The family would like to thank Dr. Hans Haydon; Dr. Jeffrey Yorio of Texas Oncology, and the wonderful doctors and nurses at St. David's, particularly Dr. Phuong Vo. A celebration of Phil's life will be held on October 15, 2019, at 11 a.m. at Congregation Beth Israel at 3901 Shoal Creek Boulevard in Austin. Donations in Phil's memory may be made to the Texas Freedom Network (www.tfn.org).

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

Published by Austin American-Statesman on Oct. 6, 2019.

Memories and Condolences
for Philip Durst

12 Entries

Eamon

August 11, 2022

I still think of some of his jokes. During one class in the law school´s practice courtrooms, you could hear the laughs Phil was getting through the wall into the room next door. One of his co-professors in the adjacent room remarked, "The guy´s a lab puppy; he walks into a room and the whole world loves him."

Alex Bangs

September 30, 2020

We fondly remember Phil everytime we walk by his house and see his scooter. He was a great neighbor who made Avenue C a better -- and much funnier -- place to live. He is remembered and missed!

Marian Bloss

February 21, 2020

Phil Durst was one of the few Austin attorneys who treated me with kindness and honesty, despite the fact that I was a conservative republican lawyer in a liberal setting. And he was so funny and entertaining and knowledgeable. I'm so sad to hear of his passing. God bless him and his family.

Chris Kuykendall

November 25, 2019

I live right across the street, even so had absolutely NO idea until seven weeks later when my friend the Texas Legislative Council executive director told me, and I was shocked. Phil was the occasional say-hi wave guy across the street, as is Sarah. I did not know of his movie buff-ness that I have myself, but I think that was the subject of the last conversation we had, something I'd seen lately, probably foreign.

Alexandra Bangs

October 16, 2019

Avenue C will never be the same. Phil was a wonderful neighbor who will be deeply missed. Love to his family. -- Alex, Nathan, Hannah and Krista Bangs

Michael Curry

October 14, 2019

Phil was such a good lawyer. He was ruthlessly funny willing and able to use his humor as both a sword and a shield. The Austin Bar lost a great one, someone who was widely loved and respected. Deepest sympathies to his family.

Amie Rodnick

October 14, 2019

I am so sorry to hear of Phil's untimely passing. He was a great lawyer, human being, and artist. We worked together at the AG's office in the early 80's, and I always appreciated his sense of humor and collegiality. We competed to lure Gwen Shaw as our legal assistant after we all went into private practice, but Phil and his partners must have had better art on their walls; that's all I can figure. My condolences to his family and colleagues. He was one of a kind.

Linda Johnson

October 13, 2019

I am so sorry to hear this news and pray his family and friends find comfort in their memories. Several years ago I visited Charleston and saw his work in a gallery. I have been haunted by the fact that I didn't purchase a piece (because I could not remember the name of the Mitchell Fine gallery). Yesterday I returned to Charleston and purchased one of his amazing collages. Then, this morning I read this sad news. Blessings to all who knew him in person...and those of us who share his spirit through his civil rights and art works.

Joseph Hammer

October 10, 2019

Loved my buddy and fellow Davis Gallery artist, Phil Durst! I always enjoyed his company, marveled at his talent, and treasured his friendship. What a guy! Joseph Hammer

Patty

October 10, 2019

Prof. Durst was one of my all-time favorite teachers. I took his employment law class over 18 years ago and still remember so much of what I learned because of his fun and interesting way of teaching. I now practice employment law at a union and think of him often. Rest in power, brother.

October 7, 2019

Please accept my sincere condolences for the loss of your loved one . May 1 Thessalonians 4:14 bring you some comfort in knowing that there is a future for the ones we have lost in death. They are very precious in Gods eyes. May the God of all comfort strengthen your family during this time of deep sorrow.

Deloris Brown

October 6, 2019

Thank you for everything that you did for our family. We love you and will miss you. Choyce family

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