Name: Memorial service for Philip Chasen Metzger
Start: 2023-09-06T15:00:00.000Z
End: 2023-09-06T17:00:00.000Z
Location: Roundhouse Theater

Metzger

Philip Chasen Metzger

Philip Chasen Metzger died peacefully in hospital on the evening of September 2, 2023 at the age of 70, following a long battle with cancer.

Philip was born in New Jersey to Sidney and Miriam Metzger on June 9, 1953. He graduated from Walter Johnson High School in Rockville, Maryland, and then attended the University of Michigan, from which he holds a BA in American history, a Master's Degree in Natural Resources, and a JD from the law school.

His career was devoted to environmental protection. He began as a lawyer at the Department of the Interior, and later served as a speechwriter and environmental-policy advisor to Mario Cuomo, then governor of New York. He took a brief detour to work as a researcher for Joe Biden, then head of the Senate Judiciary Committee, during Robert Bork's confirmation hearing.

He then spent more than 25 years at the Environmental Protection Agency, working mainly in the Office of Water.

Outside of work, he had a passion for hiking and the outdoors, especially the dramatic scenery of the American Southwest. He also loved art, classical music, wine, travel, photography and the Washington Nationals (not necessarily in that order, especially late in a good season). He was an outstanding cook, a wonderful host and a dear friend to many.

He was a devoted husband to Lynn Chasen Metzger, his wife of 46 years; a loving father to Sarah, Diana (Manoli) and Lily; and a doting grandfather to Isabel and Theo Strecker. All except Sarah, who died in 1999, survive him, as do his brother David (Carole); sister Sally Fasman; brothers-in-law Rick Chasen (Shelley) and Ron Chasen (Judy) and many nieces and nephews who will always remember him with love.

A memorial service will be held at the Roundhouse Theater in Bethesda on Wednesday, September 6 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

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

Published by The Washington Post on Sep. 5, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for Philip Metzger

11 Entries

Paula Forrest

February 20, 2025

I just came upon this by accident, in February 2025. Philip was a piano student of my mother, Faith Forrest, and he was in touch with her for many years after. I, too, went to KJH, Walter Johnson, and U of Michigan, a couple years ahead of Philip. This makes me very sad.

Ruth Greenspan Bell

November 7, 2023

I just found out a few minutes ago from the EPA Alumni Association of Phil's death and wanted to express my sadness. I got to know Phil well after either of us were at EPA, during the period when we started the Environmental Protection Network to try to protect EPA from the Trump onslaught. He was an integral part of a group of people with a lifelong dedication to the EPA mission and a strong, unbreakable bond with others who had served at the Agency. After his illness struck, we went on a number of walks together and I got to know him as a person and learn a bit about him, Lynn and his family and about his strength in facing the medical challenge that eventually took him away. I have wondered often whether I had (or would have, should it become necessary) the strength he displayed in those final years and the optimism to keep going even as medical treatments came up short. I hope his family knows that any number of people continue to have Phil in their thoughts.

Michelle Roos

October 1, 2023

I'm so sorry to hear of Phil's passing. He was a remarkable public servant and a dedicated volunteer with our organization.

Just recently, in 2019, Phil was instrumental in creating a joint letter signed by 7 of the the then living former EPA Administrators to Congress during the Trump administration: https://www.environmentalprotectionnetwork.org/letter-from-former-administrators/.

The letter inspired a Congressional hearing featuring Governor Whitman, Gina McCarthy, Bill Reilly and Lee Thomas: https://democrats-energycommerce.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/oversight-investigations-subcommittee-to-hold-hearing-with-bipartisan-group

I also have a very sweet memory of speaking to Phil on the phone the summer of 2018, when I had just started at EPN, and was transitioning to become the Executive Director. I was spending a few weeks working remotely at a summer camp where my husband was working. Somehow Phil and I started talking about where I was, and he realized that he attended the same camp while growing up!

I am so glad I personally had the chance to know Phil, and to stay in touch during his incredible fight against cancer.

He was brilliant, kind, motivated, and generous with his time.

On behalf of all of the Environmental Protection Network, he will be missed.

Rob Woloctt

September 17, 2023

Phil Metzger -- A very, very fine man

With the passing of Phil Metzger we have, all of us, lost a great friend, colleague, environmental and human rights champion. His contributions to enlightened governance and the science, law and policy which undergird this governance was immense. He is and will be missed by all who he graced with his kindness, compassion and counsel.

Phil was the epitome of a public intellectual and public advocate -- a defender of public health, environmental quality and our democracy. I had the privilege and pleasure of working with Phil in the early establishment of the Environmental Protection Network (www.EnvironmentalProtectionNetwork.org). He was pivotal in setting up the EPN´s Bipartisan Advisory Council, providing critically important counsel on matters of water quality and shaping positions related to the overall system of federal-state environmental management. The entire effort of EPN was greatly enhanced by his contributions. I will profoundly miss him. We will all miss him.

The beneficiaries of all that the public wheel supplies will miss him. We can and must, however, collectively and individually savor the time we had with him and the enormous value and enjoyment we had in the time he shared with us.

Phil also embodied compassion, dedication, patience, and an unrelenting will to improve the world in so many ways. When anyone, of high or low station, sought his counsel he would listen with respect and deep attention. He would patiently digest all elements of the problem and then share his honest, creative, and rigorous response. In each case he demonstrated an immense breadth of experience and perspective. No stone was left unturned and no avenues of pursuit went unexplored. Every engagement was a pathway to growth and understanding. And, he never stopped this inquiry and sharing until he passed from this earth.

We are fortunate to have woven our lives with his. And his counsel and friendship are gifts we can all savor until we pass as well.

Thank you, Phil, for all you did for and with all of us. We honor and appreciate you always.

Rob Wolcott

Peter Andersen

September 10, 2023

I was glad to have Phil as a friend in high school. We were lab mates in 10th grade biology class, and it didn´t take long to see how smart he was and that I should stay close to get a good grade.
Baseball was a common bond. His love for baseball pre-dated the Nationals. We were diehard Senators fans, and we went to a game in DC Stadium, I´m guessing in 1969 when Ted Williams was manager. I think we had a catch or two, as I was always practicing for the Walter Johnson baseball team. Rest in peace Phil.

Laura Bachle

September 8, 2023

So long dear friend. You were an incredible force of good.

Nancy Stoner

September 7, 2023

I remember Phil´s intellect and passion well from his days at EPA. So sorry to hear of his passing.

Jessica Fasman

Planted Trees

Laurel Brandt & Art Leavens

September 6, 2023

We will always remember our dear friend Philip with love. We feel fortunate to have shared 42+ years with him.

The Marini Family

Planted Trees

Susan Kaplan

September 5, 2023

May Phillip´s memory be a blessing. He was a good friend, and although I´ve lived almost 3,000 miles away for almost 25 years, our friendship when I lived in DC will be a precious memory for all of my days.

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