Robert V Phillips III
December 16, 2020
Revelation 21:4
"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."
Isaiah 40:31
"But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
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Dawn,
It's going to be a while before things get better, so stay active and keep your mind busy.
With sincere sympathy,
Randy
Thank you for 28 wonderful years. You were truly my better half. I loved your intellect, your wit, your laughter and your humility. I was truly blessed and I thank God for every day I had with you. I love you my HSGG!
Your wife, Dawn
Robert was known to many as Doctor of Psychology, gifted Programmer, and also a Lawyer.
Yes, he was all of those, and indeed, he was a brilliant mind.
But to us, he was just a wonderful friend. Robert, we will miss you.
Rest In Peace!
Halina and Mieszko Gorski
We met Robert and Dawn when we moved into Matawan NJ. We spent many times together dining out, attending events, and at each other's homes. Their lakefront home in Matawan was special and had some of the most scenic views of the lake in the town. Robert had the foresight to purchase the lot years ago and Dawn did a great job of decorating the home. When they moved to pursue career opportunities we maintained in contact with each other over the years. Robert was a special guy with great intellect but always maintained a down to earth attitude. His observations of things were usually spot on and he never wasted many words to express how he felt about personal and world events. Robert achieved various degrees and certifications over the years, including among many a doctorate and law degree. One time when we visited with them in Florida, Robert was telling us they were still getting familiar with the services in their new neighborhood. Somehow Robert convinced Dawn that he could temporally dye her hair until she found a suitable salon. He said to her he could do just as well as a stylist and at the same time save a few dollars. This went on for awhile and he actually did a pretty good job. He announced to us ..among his various achievements he could now add the title of "Master Colorist". Yes, he also had a great sense of humor. We will miss him!
Einstein once said “Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value.”
Robert embodied both elements Einstein speaks of in the above quote. He pursued his interests, continually expanded his knowledge. But, most importantly, embraced the value of his marriage, home and life as he viewed it.
May his next journey be the greatest adventure of all.
We are blessed to have been a part of your life. Love, your little sister.
Sleep now sleep
And so fade sorrow
Sleep beloved sleep
Sleep now sleep
Afar tomorrow
Sleep beloved sleep
You are home this night
Home of winter
Your home of autumn
Summer and spring
You are home this night
Lasting home
Eternal home
Your eternal home
Sleep of seven lights upon you
Sleep of seven joys
Sleep of seven slumbers on you
In your easy poise
You are home this night
Home of stillness
Your home of spirit
Being and bliss
You are home this night
Abiding home
Forever home
Your forever home – Donovan
Uncle Robert. This man inspired me. His educational pursuits and creativity made an impression upon me as a young child. I remember when I was 9 years old he developed a program that involved an exercise bicycle monitoring ones rhythms while exercising. I was fascinated not only by his creation but also by his deep booming voice and gentle humor.
I was lucky enough to visit him and Aunt Dawn (and their pups!) while they lived in NJ. They were so kind and generous during our stay. Swing on the back porch and chatting with Uncle Robert is a memory I hold dear. I can hear his laugh, joyous and deep, when I close my eyes to remember.
Uncle Robert, you are missed and you are loved. Peace be with you.
And my peace fill your heart and mind, Aunt Dawn.
With my deepest sympathy,
Niece Tracy
I was always extra thankful when Robert was there at thanksgiving to say the dinner prayer, it was always heartfelt and meaningful and I wouldn’t have to say it. When we couldn’t all be together I tried to say a prayer like Robert would but they didn’t compare. I am thankful for his intelligence, honesty and smile. It was a true honor to have known him and be part of the same family
Sister, you truly were married to a man that not only lloved you, he worshipped you. You were both very lucky to find each other and the love and dedication you both had for each other was rare. I am very proud of how dotting you were towards the end, the comfort, support and love you gave Robert at such a hard time for you as well. I’m sure this put him in a better state of mind from the suffering he was experiencing. Robert was truly a wonderful man, great brother-in-law and uncle. He Was smart, witty, generous, honest and caring. I could not have asked for a better brother-in-law and there definitely is no comparison to the ones I’ve had or have. I don’t think he had a mean bone in his body. Robert was truly loved in our family and will be dearly missed as well. Please remember I will always be here for you sister, the road a head will be rough but just remember Robert will always be watching over you with the love he always had, as that will never die.
Uncle Robert was my favorite uncle from going over their house in New Jersey, floating on the lake and having a cookout, it was the perfect was to end summer vacation. I also remember the time they met us at Disney and he stayed up past his usual time to spend time with me and my sister,we had a great time on happiest place on earth. I also remember the time we went to Virginia to visit and Pilar their dog jumped out of his house like a jack in the box and scared my mom and we all were laughing so hard
Rest In Peace uncle Robert
When I was a kid, I remember going to your old Matawan house and talking with Uncle Robert about anything and everything. He would tell me about whatever project he was working on or things he would like to do. He always put my Aunt Dawn first and cared about nothing more. He was an exemplar when it came to speaking softly and profoundly, especially at holiday meals. One of my favorite memories of Uncle Robert is how he would always take my grandmother out to new and interesting restaurants–I think all of us have tried for years to do that, but only Robert succeeded. Uncle Robert will always be in my thoughts and I'm thankful for all that he has bestowed to each of us.
I will truly miss Uncle Robert. He was wonderfully knowledgeable and kind. Some of my best memories are visiting while in NJ and of course when I was welcomed to Florida. One of the most touching things was how important it was for him to get me flowers when I defended my PhD a year ago today. It was about what they stood for and the importance of the education and knowledge. I have this gift still saved today and I think a lot about how much it reflects his character and who he was as a person.
Happy Birthday in Heaven, my Love. I miss you so much, especially on this day, January 9, your birthday. I love you.
A prankster who took little seriously other than his computers, Rob viewed life like software programming, with logic and irony, and a dash of mischievousness. Rob was a comedian who chose pranks over satire. Instead of sarcasm, he was a trickster, but unlike the magician Loki, the Marvel character Rob knew well–he had a collection of mid '60s Thor, Spiderman, and Fantastic Four comics maintained in mint condition–Rob had a heart, a benevolent aura that raised him above Loki's cruelty.
Rob loved games, especially ones that relied on deception, charades, and plots. For His PhD he created a software program that not only played the ancient Chinese game Go but defeated its best players, an accomplishment that earned him a doctorate at the ripe old age of 23 from the University of Maryland.
In the decades that followed, Rob imagined life as a divine comedy in which he invented the rules and manipulated the pieces. He was a magician of buffoonery, a smiling madman, for which a few examples will suffice, but not do justice to his delight in plotting and pranking.
In tennis it wasn't a big serve or a high-velocity passing shot, or even an overhead slam he preferred. No, he would patiently run you around the court with lobs and goofy spin shots to the back of the court. And just when you thought you were set for his next calculus-inspired salvo, he dinked a drop shot with maximum backspin while you watched,legs aching and heart pounding, as the ball dribbled back into the net. Thanks, Rob.
On a random trip with no real goal to a small town in Missouri, after lunch we headed back to the bed and breakfast, me leading the way. After 20 minutes of what should have been a two-minute walk, I said, "We're going the wrong direction." Rob, smirking, "Oh, I didn't know." Sure.
Part II follows
In El Dorado, Arkansas, where we grew up, five or so years after high school graduation we were at a friend's house when for the evening's entertainment Rob announced he was founding a new group to perform informal surveys of how the local citizens felt about life, i.e., to make prank calls under the pseudonym "Founders of EDYGO," or the fictitious "El Dorado Youth Group." So randomly picking numbers from the phonebook, Rob spent a few hours unearthing quite personal secrets from surprisingly loquacious people happy to discuss their lives with such a stalwart fine young man. The entire time Rob was smiling hugely, impeccably polite, and trying not to blow an artery while laughing.
That same evening we played a game of "Sing the Blues," where each of us had to sing a line of blues about our lives. It came Rob's time, and he sang: "I can't sing the blues because nothing is wrong in my life. I can't sing the blues because I have no blues." Touche.
All joking aside, he loved fun, saw life as a comedy, as the pub, not the battlefield, as Falstaff would say. Together we ate and drank, both more than advised. Our favorite meal, unsurprisingly, was confit de canard, French fries, and a good red wine. We heated the preserved duck thighs and dumped sea salt on their browned skins then fried the potatoes in the duck fat. Rob proclaimed, "God, life should be red wine, sea salt, and duck fat." I heartily agreed.
He loved his friends. Each of us can search our memories for stories of his kindness. After a decade of not seeing Rob, I moved to New Jersey and outside of a wife and small child knew absolutely nobody within a thousand miles. In what I thought was a long shot to find Rob, who I knew worked at Bell Labs, I called the 8,000 person facility in Holmdel called the "Space Ship" where Rob I supposed worked. Amazingly, he was there, and I was instantly connected to Dr. Robert Phillips, who simply said he'd be at my house as soon as he was off work, as if we were back singing the blues — or in his case, the "no blues."
Rob was a genius, a jester, a kind-hearted Epicurean who I love and remember with deep admiration. He was a Robin Williams gifted with the mind of the great scientists – from Dr. Frankenstein to Dr. Einstein — more simply put, a kind, brilliant man, irreplaceable, unforgettable, and missed by many.
Rob was my best friend, my buddy, my comrade. I will never forget you.
On 2/22/92, Robert and I moved in together. Robert always liked to celebrate this day. Last year, on 2/22/20, he presented me with a Bible. Upon opening the Bible, I read the following: "To my beloved wife Dawn, I have loved you now for more than 28 years, and I will love you always. God has loved you for even longer! Today is our 28th anniversary of being a couple and living together, and I can only pray for 28 more! 'Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life . . .' Matthew 6:25 Love Always, BD 2/22/2020."
Hi Rob, You have traversed a little over one light-year toward heaven. Unfortunately for me, over 1,000 earth years have passed during your journey. Please send an email back in time when you arrive.
Love, Brad.
We cannot forget you. As long as we live, you are here with us. You still effect my reality. I love you my brother. You are here with me.