Robert E. Phillips died at the Grand Junction VA Medical Center on Jan. 28, 2013, after a short illness. He was 88.
Mr. Phillips was born in Cedaredge on Feb. 23, 1924, to Blanche and Victor Phillips. After attending Cedaredge schools, he served in the U.S. Merchant Marines during World War II. In 1950, he graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder and then taught school in Weldona. A few years later, he returned to the Western Slope to help run the family business, Phillips Auto & Implement in Delta.
In 1961 he married Joan Fetters Meikle and adopted her children, Heidi, Susan and Randy. Greg was born in 1967. They lived on the family farm east of Eckert where Bob and Joan grew fruit until 2006 when they retired to Grand Junction.
Mr. Phillips belonged to many clubs and organizations, including the Masonic Lodge. He served on numerous water boards, the Delta County School Board and was president of the Western Colorado Horticultural Society and Valley Symphony Association. He enjoyed traveling, classical music, reading, sweets, his grandchildren and anything related to fruit growing.
He is survived by his wife; four children, Heidi Holder, Susan Saruwatari, Randy and Greg; and eight grandchildren.
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