Philip C. Howse

Philip Chase Howse, 91, husband of Winifred Mary "Pat" (Pattison) Howse, passed away peacefully in his sleep after a short illness on Friday, Feb. 15, 2019, in the Meadows at Shannondell, Audubon, PA. Born on Nov. 2, 1927 in West Chester, he was a son of the late Mary (Chase) and James W. Howse. Phil grew up in the family Zook House in Exton, PA. -- now a museum and flower shop -- on a 75-acre farm now the site of the Exton Square Mall. There he milked the family cow, Buttercup, and chopped wood to heat the family home during the Depression. He started school in a one-room schoolhouse in 1933, and eventually graduated from West Chester High School in 1945. Following high school, Phil served in the U.S. Army in Germany just after the end of World War II. Upon returning to the states, Phil attended Lehigh University, and soon after married his longtime sweetheart, Pat. He began working for DuPont, a job that took him and his new bride and son to seven states in three years. For most of his career, he worked for Superior Tube Company, in Collegeville, and held the position of Chief Financial Officer upon his retirement in 1994. An avid golfer, Phil loved his early morning outings at Aronimink Country Club, where he and Pat recently became “Super Senior” members. He even shot two holes-in-one in his career, one at the 17th at Merion. Phil also enjoyed sailing in the Chesapeake Bay with his family, and among his many hobbies, he took up scuba diving at age 65 and continued into his eighties. Phil also held a pilot's license. While Phil’s work afforded him many business trips, it was after retirement that he began to travel in earnest with Pat, who always had wanderlust. Together they visited many countries and especially enjoyed Lindblad Nature Adventure tours on small cruise ships which were very fun and educational. After a 25th wedding anniversary trip to Barbados in 1976, he and Pat fell in love with Bajan culture, the sand and the sea, and began yearly visits that they continued for 40 or more years. During their yearly visits, they made many good friends in the community by joining in with the early morning swimmers in Paynes Bay and also by joining St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church. Phil was blessed to have been able to make a final trip to Barbados this past summer, at which time he and Pat got to visit with many of their longtime friends and attend services at St. Stephen’s again. Phil was also an active member of St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Phoenixville, where he was a member of the Vestry, and sang in the Choir for 54 years. He also served for many years as the Treasurer and was a member of the Stewardship Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania. Volunteer service had always been a part of Phil’s life, from being a Boy Scout troop leader to Schuylkill PTA treasurer, to volunteering at the Phoenixville Library doing taxes for seniors, as a "Shelf Elf" and then as Treasurer. He volunteered at Phoenixville Hospital twice weekly from 1994 - 2018, and in the latter years of this service, when he stopped driving because of failing eyesight, he took Uber rides to and from the hospital, becoming somewhat unique for the fact of paying good money to go out to volunteer. He was also an active member of the Phoenixville YMCA, where he was an early bird exerciser for many years. Phil loved the many different family pets he and Pat had over the years, especially their cats and a unique pet turtle, "Burtle the Turtle,” who lived in the swimming pool in the summer and in the house over the winter. Burt lived to be 20 years old and was known to greet guests at the doorway for their holiday parties. In addition to his loving wife of 68 years, Philip is survived by his sons: P. Chase Howse, (Becky) of Glenside, Thomas J. Howse, of Jackson, NJ and Daniel A. Howse, (Chris), of Houston, TX; grandchildren: Samuel, Phoebe, Ben, Leah, Jake and Sydney as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his siblings: James W. Howse and Virginia Miller. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the celebration of his life at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 121 Church Street, Phoenixville, on Saturday, March 9, 2019 at 11:00 am. Friends and family will be received from 10:00 am - 11:00 am at the Church. Officiating will be The Rev. Dr. Koshy Mathews. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Phil's name to the St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Capital Fund Campaign, 121 Church Street, Phoenixville, PA 19460 or to the Phoenixville Public Library Foundation, 183 Second Avenue, Phoenixville, PA 19460. Arrangements are being handled by the Campbell - Ennis - Klotzbach Funeral Home, Inc. Condolences may be offered online at www.PhoenixvilleFuneralHome.com.

Philip C. Howse

November 2, 1927 - February 15, 2019