Robert Phillips

Robert Beste Phillips, beloved husband of the late Joan, and resident of Fairwinds Rivers Edge, St. Charles, MO, was peacefully called home on March 15, 2023, after 90 full and adventurous years. Bob was surrounded by loving family and compassionate care at the end. 

Bob was born June 3, 1932 in St Charles MO, and baptized at St Peters Catholic Church. Oldest of three brothers, he seemed destined to become a leader and that he did. Bob had a quick smile and a zeal for life. He enjoyed people he encountered, the pursuit of goals and the rewards of hard work. These traits served him well, from service of country as a Marine lieutenant, to father of six children whom he and Joan raised in a family of faith and fun. 

Bob’s adventures included high school football and basketball, golf through college, flying F6F and Skyraider aircraft missions in the Korean War, an exciting career in the shoe manufacturing and sales world, eventually running his own shoe company Five Star Footwear with an outstanding and attractive office manager named Joan. From his military to his business career, Bob had a demanding travel schedule, but later he and Joan were able to enjoy many international adventures together from Europe to Asia; Italy and Paris were some personal favorites. Their US travel included many storied family vacations to beaches and mountains, lakes, rivers and resorts with cousins. Driving an Estate Wagon across Kansas with six unbelted kids bouncing around the back enabled Bob to unplug from his busy work life. Bob also connected in parish life serving on parish council eventually as president, inviting priests for family dinner, and coaching parish teams. His generosity of time included serving on the Norwood Hills Country Club board including as president, volunteer work for the St Louis Zoo and St Louis Symphony, and years serving the Missouri Amateur Golf Association, receiving their Meritorious Service Award in 2017. His interest in people multiplied in later years, as the family holidays included expanding numbers of grandchildren; all family members circled in the living room and gave updates on their lives and accomplishments. Most recently he was very happy to chair the team at his retirement community responsible for the yearly gift for all the Fairwinds employees. The Fairwinds community was a great fit for Bob and Joan both, and provided a lifeline for Bob with many friendships after Joan passed. Last but not least, Bob was a strong competitor and huge sports fan, from playing to watching. His golf abilities spanned from dreams of turning pro in his 20s to shooting his age twice fifty years later. His love of sports included the Cardiac Cards, the St Louis Rams, World Series baseball games, SLU basketball, and golfing pilgrimages to notable destinations like Pebble Beach, Augusta National and Scotland. Friendships forged at Norwood among skins games became lifelong friends. When age turned golf into gin rummy he continued to enjoy the challenge in front of him. A competitor to a fault, he fought his illnesses hard even to the end, but by the mercy of God and loving hospice care, our Lord allowed Bob to go in peace, a welcome respite for this Marine pilot, one last mission of mercy. 

Though we celebrate his return to the Lord, Bob will be sadly missed by children Beth Ampleman (Rich), Janet Roth (Jeff), Bob Phillips (Sue), Rich Phillips (Karen), Keith Phillips (Diamarie) and Carol Brinkman (Ed). Bob boasted 22 grandchildren, including Lisa Ampleman Warren, Anna Bilyeu (nee Ampleman), Sarah Ampleman, Matt Ampleman, Alex Ampleman, Andrew Ampleman, Eric Gray, Katie Fasching (nee Roth), Christopher Gray, Mary Krispin (nee Phillips), Cathy Phillips, Julie Hayward (nee Phillips), Jennifer Phillips, Robert Phillips, Christie Phillips, Michelle Phillips, Mike Phillips, Kevin Phillips, Maximilian Phillips, Chiara Phillips, Jenna Brinkman and Rachel Brinkman. 
 
The legacy continues with 21 great-grandchildren, including Jeremiah Warren, Blake Bilyeu, Charlie Bilyeu, Eleanor Ampleman, Rose Goodnough (nee Mitchell), Joey Mitchell, Joshua Gray, Austin Fasching, Mckenna Fasching, Brayden Fasching, Kaia Fasching, Zoe Gray, Nadia Gray, David Krispin, Alexandra Krispin, Samantha Krispin, Christina Krispin, Lucy Hayward, Rose Hayward, Theodore Hayward and Noah Phillips. Bob’s legacy completes with three great-great-grandchildren, Scott Goodnough, Callahan Goodnough and Elena Mitchell. 

Bob is also survived by his brother, Father Glenn Phillips, OFM. 
 
Bob was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 63 years, Joan Marie (nee Becker), his cherished parents, Robert Earl and Edith Helen Phillips (nee Beste), his brother Mark and by his grandson Ryan Brinkman.