Phil lived in Germany and England for 6 years.  He returned to the states where he eventually taught high school science.  He was a naturalist who spent much time wandering the mountains of California identifying birds, plants, and ecological niches.  As a long time student of Rudolf Steiner's philosophy he brought a special spirituality to his naturalist studies.  Phil was fully fluent in German and well versed in ancient Greek and Old English.  He himself translated the version of Beowulf he performed in Scotland and elsewhere as a one man show-two hours!  In the last ten years of his life another of his life-long talents came increasing to the fore:  acting in various ensembles and in one man shows which he carried to England, Colorado and in various venues in and around California.  Phil's talents were varied and deep.  Those who knew him always appreciated the depth of his conversation and the breadth of his vision.  His son is a successful actor in Hollywood (just google his name).  One daughter has had a successful career in the US foreign service which gave Phil the chance to visit many parts of the world, from Beirut to inner China to East Timor while his second daughter is a much sought after animal husbandry expert.  He published poetry as well.  Here is a poem he wrote on his death bed, six weeks before his passing:  Song Make me new!  Clothe me with a garment of woven flame.  Let the song rise up.  Let the word be spoken.  Lift me up!  Give the stars into my command.  Let me dance upon the hills.  And all the angels sing.  Send me down to walk with Him upon the earth!  Let me sing them a new song.  Let his Word resound!-January 1, 2015.  And another written just four weeks before his death:  dying alternating moments of deep trance like sleep and luminous presence with all senses delicately awake and alive.  Light beings encompass me patiently lovingly waiting to bear me into the light-January 11, 2015.