Philip Tarbell Willauer

1941 - 2023

Willauer

Philip Tarbell Willauer (Age 82)

Philip Tarbell Willauer of Washington, DC, passed quietly with his wife by his side on January 18, 2023 at Capital Caring Health SMH of Prostate Cancer. Born in Philadelphia, PA, his family moved to Winnetka, IL where Philip graduated from New Trier High School Class of '58. Philip lettered in Football, Basketball and Baseball. Many of his teammates reminisce about "Skip's" passion for sports as the leader of offense, calling audible plays on the field. Throughout his life he competitively played Racquetball, Tennis and Pickleball. When not playing sports, he was watching them, coaching from his chair.



Philip held a Bachelor of Business Administration from Western Michigan Class of '63 and a Certified Public Accountant certificate from the State of Tennessee.



Enrolling into the US Army during the Vietnam War, Philip rose to the rank of Staff Sargent E-6. In April '69, Philip was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Achievement in Ground Operations against hostile forces.



Prior to 1977 Philip held various accounting and finance positions. He joined Macy's as the Chief Financial Officer in, Kansas City, KS, and was promoted to the Bamberger division in Newark, NJ. When the entrepreneurial spirit struck, he and a group of executives, including his future wife, started a new venture of women petite apparel with locations on both the east and west coast. In August 1988, he was recruited to relocate to Washington, DC to become the Chief Operating Officer for a group of specialty stores including Garfinckel's and Raleigh's. Due to the challenging and changing retail environment, he transitioned from corporate retail and with Sandra, owned a group of ladies' specialty stores. After selling the chain, both decided to join UBS/PaineWebber as Financial Advisors to provide consulting services to corporations and individuals. Philip will be missed by his colleagues and clients who enjoyed his conversations about sports, markets, and investments as well as benefiting from his mentoring.



Philip was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend who will be eternally missed. Philip will be remembered as happy, smiling, and laughing with his wonderful great wit and infectious smile. The Lord has a special place for men like Philip and He is taking one of His finest back to his flock.



Philip was a believer in God and an active member of St. Albans. Past positions included Workers of St Albans (WSA Board Member), Opportunity Shop (Volunteer), Endowment Committee and Foyers. He was a member of Bethesda Country Club and loved celebrating all achievements both large and small at the club.



Philip is preceded in death by his parents Philip B. Willauer and Emily Tarbell Rutter. He is survived by his devoted wife Sandra; brother David Nixon, his wife Diane Willauer (Bellvue, CO); son Thomas Philip Willauer, his wife Hannah, grandsons Chase Thomas, Judd Philip, and Beau Brennan (Overland Park, KS); daughter Sandra Marie Markee, her husband Brian, grandsons, Christian "Max", his wife Jessica and Cole Reed Kuenzli, great-grandsons Tate Davis and Truett Maxwell (Chattanooga, TN); Susie Lee Phillips, cousin (Omaha, NE) and by marriage and love; Eddi and Paulette Zyko, Warren and Candis Cunningham, Raymond and Susan Cunningham, six nieces, five nephews, 15 grandnieces and 14 grandnephews.



Philip's true happy place was being near a beach. He looked forward to the annual extended family reunions at Litchfield Beach, SC. He also enjoyed traveling to and throughout the world and always looked forward to the next adventure.



As a pioneer patient, he participated in many cutting-edge therapies to discover the cure for prostate cancer. In lieu of flowers gifts may be sent to Foundation for Cancer Research and Education (FCRE), PO Box 746, Earlysville, VA 22936 or Capital Caring Health SMH, 3180 Fairview Park Drive, Suite 500, Falls Church, VA 22042. Burial to follow at Arlington National Cemetery followed by a celebration of life at a later date.