Richard H. Phillips

Captain Richard H. ‘Dick’ Phillips, 77, of “Lafite” his beloved residence in Stewartstown, died Sunday, August 16, 2020, at War Memorial Hospital in Berkeley Springs, WV. He was born March 1, 1943, in Morgantown, the second child of the late W. Hugh and Sarah T. Phillips.

He was a 1966 graduate of West Virginia University’s College of Agriculture, with a major in animal science. Fulfilling a boyhood passion, he volunteered for the United States Air Force’s officer candidate school, then aviator school, and finally combat qualification school.

He flew his first combat mission on Christmas Eve, 1968 off the coast of Haiphong Harbor, North Vietnam; and went on to fly a total of 83 combat missions. He was decorated with 22 medals, one with “V” device for valor.

He flew the F-4E, Phantom II, with the elite and highly decorated 4th Tactical Fighter Wing, “Fourth but First”, and the illustrious and infamous 8th Tactical Fighter Wing, “Wolfpack”. He also flew the KC-135A, Stratotanker, with the always ready 41st Air Refueling Squadron, “Anywhere, Anytime”.

He participated in the USS Pueblo incident off North Korea and in the planning of emergency deployment of the F-4E’s to Israel during the Yom Kippur War. Besides the hot war in Southeast Asia, he also participated in the Cold War, flying countless sorties and endless hours of alert duty both in the United States, Europe, and Southeast Asia. He served in the United States Air Force from 1966-1976.

In 1976, he returned to Morgantown and joined his father in operating the Phillips Family Farm in Stewartstown, raising Black Limousin beef cattle.

He felt highly privileged to have been allowed to shoulder the responsibility of carrying the colors of the United States of America into battle. He would like to be remembered as a patriot, cattleman, and connoisseur of the wines of Bordeaux, especially Chateau Lafite Rothchild, whose extraordinary quality has set the standard for all wines decade after decade.

“D-U-T-Y, H-O-N-O-R, C-O-U-N-T-R-Y” – General Douglas MacArthur

He is survived by his wife Patricia ‘Trish’ Phillips; two younger sisters Nancy Taylor and husband Carl, Sally Medrick and husband Joseph; two sisters-in-law Connie Webb and husband Steve, Susan Kremmer; two brothers-in-law Tony Kamerick and wife Karen, Patrick Kamerick; plus numerous nieces, nephews, and his beloved German Shepherd dog, and nine cats.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his older brother W. Hal Phillips.

Friends may call at Fred L. Jenkins Funeral Home on Saturday, August 22, 2020, from 10am until the time of funeral service at 11am with Fr. Fred Byrne and Rev. Junius Lewis officiating. Dick will be laid to rest at Mt. Calvary Cemetery with full military honors.

During the COVID 19 Pandemic, safety is of the utmost importance. Face coverings will be required with social distancing and no direct person to person contact. Please stay safe and stay home if you feel that is best for you.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations in Dick’s name to Paw Prints Veterinary Clinic to help with recent unexpected and routine veterinary expenses.