Paul Phillips, 92, an educator with a lifelong commitment to public service, died May 13, 2012 of natural causes at Berkshire Commons, a senior living community in Exeter PA, where he resided since April. He was married for 61years to his college sweetheart, Carolyn Yaworsky Phillips, who predeceased him in 2008.

A native of Clifton Heights, Dr. Phillips was a scholarship student and a standout football player at West Chester State College. He rejected a draft by the National Football League in order to volunteer for service in the U.S. Marine Corps shortly after his graduation in 1942. Calling himself a "ninety day wonder," in September 1942 he completed Officer Training School at Quantico, and at 22 years of age, he was sent to the Southwest Pacific as an officer in the First Marine Division, first amphibious tractor battalion. For three years, he saw only jungle and mined beaches throughout the Pacific. At Pelieu, with four units under him, he said that his job was "to get my men ashore." He always considered himself lucky to have made it through those horrific months. As a proud former Major in the USMCR, throughout his life the Marine Corps flag was prominently positioned on his office desk. Dr. Phillips received military honors, including two Presidential Unit Citations for meritorious service in Okinawa and Peleiu.

Returning from the War in 1945, Dr. Phillips completed his masters and later his doctoral degrees at Temple University under the GI Bill. His insightful analysis of school construction throughout the U.S. was awarded the Phi Delta Kappa gold medal in 1956 as the outstanding dissertation in Education completed at Temple that year.

He began his career in public education as a teacher in Haverford, and then as a Principal in the Lower Merion School District. From 1958 - 77, he was Superintendent of Morrisville School District in Morrisville, Bucks County. In that role, he was most proud of overseeing the construction of the Morrisville High School in 1960. At the invitation of the U.S. Department of State, beginning in 1968 he was a consultant to bi-national schools in Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. His efforts focused on improving curriculum and school construction in schools throughout South America.

Dr. Phillips retired in 1978 to Mont Clare, Montgomery County, where he launched a second career in voluntary public service. He was first named a member of the Upper Providence Planning Commission, where he contributed his expertise as new business enterprises were integrated into the area. Then, in 1991, he was tapped to fill a vacancy on the Spring-Ford Area Board of School Directors. His appointment was termed by an editorial in the Evening Phoenix "a perfect match" for the duties he would assume; this description proved prophetic, as Spring-Ford was then embarking on an ambitious project to construct its new High School. Dr. Phillips later became President of the School Board, serving for eight years until 1999. His long term expertise in financial management, technology, and school construction projects was put to good use as the district completed three new schools and renovated a fourth. While School Director, Dr. Phillips' goal was to see Spring-Ford High School SAT scores improve by 100 points, a goal which was exceeded. His decades of work in Pennsylvania public education and his dedication to the Spring-Ford School District are articulated in the U.S. Congressional Record.

He was a member of Sts. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church in Phoenixville.
Dr. Phillips is survived by nieces Karen Jogan of Wyomissing, Kathleen Jogan of Arkansas; Mickey Constance Nelson of Virginia; Nancy Dougherty of Tennessee; nephew William B. Phillips of Virginia; niece Donna Phillips Gormley; nephew John Paul Phillips of Warrington. Also surviving are grandnieces Cheryl Jogan of Yardley and Beverly Jogan of Philadelphia.

A private memorial service will be held at the convenience of the family. Memorial donations may be made to West Chester University, Temple University, the Morrisville Educational Opportunity Foundation, or the Spring-Ford Education Foundation.