Peter Phillips

Phillips, Peter

a professor of physics at Washington University for more than 30 years, died on Friday, December 1, 2023, at 11 p.m. He was 92 years, 4 months, and 23 hrs. For many of those years, Phillips was responsible for the large introductory physics course and initiated some of the changes that resulted in the course as it stands today.

He remained interested in all aspects of science until the end of his life but maintained that by far, the most significant development of his professional career was his recognition of the reality and fundamental importance of psychic phenomena. This often put him at odds with mainstream opinion in the scientific community.

He was also a member of Scientist for 911 Truth, one of several groups of professionals who believe that the official story of what happened on 9/11 is in many important ways a fabrication, and a new investigation is called for.

Phillips was born on Monday, August 10, 1931, in what is now South Sudan, where his father was a missionary. He was raised in England, moved to the United States in his 20's and received his doctorate from Stanford in 1961.

He is survived by his wife, Hongwen Xu, of Hangzhou, China. He was formerly married to Elizabeth Van Vorst, with whom he had a daughter, Valerie Phillips Drake, both of Rochester, New York. He had one grandson, Calvin Philip Drake.

Services: Visitation: Jay B. Smith Maplewood, 12/8/2023 from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., with service at 1 p.m. Interment at Laurel Hill Cemetery.