Richard "Dick" Phillips, 91
Coeur d'Alene Press | UPDATED 13 years, 8 months AGO
Richard "Dick" Phillips passed away on Monday, April 9, 2012, at home surrounded by family in Coeur d'Alene. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Margaret "Maggie" Phillips; two daughters, Cheryl Shatto of Moses Lake, Wash., and Susan Morris of Onalaska, Wash.; one son, Larry Phillips of Reno, Nev.; five grandchildren, Kelli, Michael, Sean, Cassie and Cara; four great-grandchildren, Dustin, Jessica, Madison and Sophia; and two great-great grandchildren, Lynzie and Maddison.
Dick was born in Careywood, Idaho, on May 7, 1920, to Samuel Phillips and Virginia Kesinger Phillips. Dick was truly a North Idaho native. The Kessinger family came to Spokane in the 1880's by covered wagon.
Dick served in the Army Air Corps during World War II as a radio operator on a B-17 bomber. He married Margaret "Maggie" Yerian in Spokane in 1955. After serving his country, Dick worked many years in logging and road construction. He ended his working career with Hercules Explosives Company in 1989.
After Dick retired, they spent their summers in Rathdrum and their winters in Arizona. Dick had many hobbies throughout his life, which included hunting, fishing, horseback riding and traveling. One passion of Dick's was music; he mastered many instruments, including the guitar, mandolin, piano and fiddle. Dick was a member of the Old Time Fiddler's Association, Eagles Lodge, Masonic Lodge and the Eastern Star.
The family wants to thank the staff of Hospice of North Idaho for everything they did for our family. Dick will be laid to rest at Pinegrove Cemetery in Rathdrum. Please direct any gifts to Hospice of North Idaho. Please visit Dick’s memorial and sign his online guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.