Hillmer, Philip
Birth date: Sep 18, 1946 Death date: Aug 5, 2024
Birth date: Sep 18, 1946 Death date: Aug 5, 2024
Philip was my first crush. I was 5 years behind him and would sit behind him in study hall and swoon. He was so handsome, smelled good and wore a sweater that was so cool. I was a clumsy, large, plain adolescent so not to be. For me, if there was a Philip sighting at a basketball game it was as exciting as hearing a Beatle's song on my transistor radio. More exciting. Once some friends and I rode 3 miles to another tiny town to see a friend there who happened to live on the same street as Philip. It was a good work out but no Philip sighting for me. Philip always was kind, funny, patient and youthfully sophisticated . His impressive traits were of a young man who had a wry sense of humor about life's challenges, good times, and destiny.. past, present and future. In addition, Philip always had a serene calmness that was infectious in that he always seemed in control of everything and he could handle it with a shrug, a smile and a strong spirit. I always felt stronger and calmer myself after being lucky enough to be in his presence. Philip always seemed happy and content with life, and whatever was going on. Nonchalant is a good way to put it. I loved it.
However, fate did give a gift in the future. My parents owned a tavern and my mom knew I carried the torch for Philip. So years down the road when I was a junior in college and Phil was in the area she offered him a bartending job for a few days which he accepted. A few weeks after that probably I had my one date with Philip and we were able to finally talk and ride around in his corvette at the time. (He always had cool cars too. ) Philip was just as wonderful on our little date as it might have been when I was the young adolescent swooning away. I thank him for his kindness and good nature to give me that little date after all those years. Philip was the measure of a man who was so special and graciously brilliant and a complete delight to me even at that point. In my limited time of knowing him. I enjoyed finally experiencing up close his charisma, charm, and modest heart about what his life entailed. His family and everyone he came in contact with was fortunate to know his vibrant, exhilarating, kind, generous, passionate, and value oriented essence. A great magical man.
Linda Koski
Shared study hall with Phil back in 1965. He was very popular and always wore "English Leather" aftershave!
Great guy! Great memories!