Phil Schubert

All who knew Philip Schubert would agree that he was larger than life. He absolutely loved life and had the most amazing sense of humor that only got better with age. Phil was blessed to find the love of his life, and together they shared so many of the best things that life has to offer. He didn’t just live fully in each moment, but he used his talent and passion to capture the memories in pictures and videos that became priceless treasures for his entire family to enjoy. A history buff, photographer, outdoor enthusiast, woodworker, and fitness lover, Phil lived a full life filled with the things he loved, which were only made better when shared with his family and friends. With unending love for those around him, he made a significant impact in the lives of those too numerous to count.

The year 1929 is often recalled as the year of the historic crash of the stock market that sent our nation and much of the world into the depths of the Great Depression. Although the 1920s were days of great prosperity, things were drastically different throughout the 1930s as the unemployment rate soared in response to a job market that steeply declined. It was just prior to that crash in October of 1929 that a young couple from Champaign/Urbana, Illinois, was pleased to announce the birth of their healthy baby boy on July 12th. Philip Edward was the fourth of five children born to his parents, Carl and Mildred (Odiet) Schubert, and was raised in the family home alongside his siblings, Rosemary, Norma, Richard, and Nancy.

For the most part, Phil experienced an upbringing that was a reflection of the time. His father was a professor of engineering at the University of Illinois while his mother was a homemaker who also had her bachelor’s degree. Phil was close to his mother and enjoyed spending time with her and the rest of his family. A student at local schools, his high school years found him at Champaign Public High School where he wrestled. Phil also uncovered his lifelong love of photography while growing up.

After graduating high school at just 16, Phil went on to the University of Illinois. As the creative one in the family, he earned a degree in journalism in 1950. To avoid being drafted, Phil chose to enlist in the Army. He was stationed in Columbia, South Carolina, serving in communications from 1951 through 1953 during the days of the Korean Conflict. Phil was able to remain stateside during that entire time.

In 1955, Philip came to Hastings, Michigan, as the executive director for the Hastings Chamber of Commerce. In 1956 he moved his young family to Kalamazoo when he became a typewriter salesman for IBM. Phil’s passion for journalism surfaced in 1965 when he established the “Greater Kalamazoo Guide.” This was followed by “Big Ten Magazine” in 1966, and in 1968 by “Cable TV Guide.” However, “Encore Magazine,” which was born in 1973 for distribution at Miller Auditorium with programs for performances of the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, was his greatest accomplishment. Under his involved direction the magazine flourished into a slick publication distributed at all Miller Auditorium performances of traveling shows, as well as those of KSO, in office waiting rooms throughout Kalamazoo, and via a large mailing list. In addition, the Guess Who centerfold was a huge success beginning in the 1990s.

Throughout his life Phil cherished his family. He was blessed to become a father to four children, Elizabeth, Michael, Kathryn and Judith., And as the nine grandchildren came along Phil was thrilled as there were simply more people to love. When his children were growing up he loved exposing them to new places so there was the annual family vacation to places like the Smokey Mountains, Florida, river rafting or the Virgin Islands among many others. Phil was there to help his children with schoolwork, some of them worked with him, and with so many connections in the community he often helped them find a job. There was also plenty of outside adventures such as hiking in Colorado and both jeep rides and sledding with his grandchildren complete with a jump, which he built on his hill. Since Phil didn’t do anything in moderation, someone often got hurt while having his kind of fun, but there certainly were memories made, too. With his love for photography, he chronicled almost everything they did in family photos and movies. Dogs were important parts of the family at times including Smoky when his children were at home and later, Punky.

It was while playing Bridge at a singles bridge club that he met the love of his life. Her name is Marcia, and they dated for five years before marrying in an intimate ceremony on May 5, 1989. They worked as a team on “Encore” until selling it in 1996 when they both retired. While staying on as Encore Travel Editors, Phil and Marcia’s trips for the magazine included bicycling across part of Europe, a safari in Kenya, tours of Costa Rica, the Copper Canyon in Mexico, Western Canada, New Zealand, Nova Scotia, a Mediterranean cruise and numerous golfing vacations around the United States. Phil and Marcia then began spending their winters in Green Valley, Arizona.

As his family and friends can attest, Phil was always busy with something. He learned to golf while in the military, and when in Arizona he lived near several golf courses that he frequented. During his younger years he took golf trips all over the world and also took part in other outdoor activities like cross country skiing, jogging and bicycling. As a history buff, many of Phil’s adventures allowed him to satiate his love for both fitness and history. He could often be found puttering around his property on 8th Street in Oshtemo. Even when slowing down Phil still kept busy working out and walking. During his retirement years he took up woodworking and made amazing projects like lamps, beautiful bowls, and tables. One of Phil’s most prized possessions was his 1951 Army jeep. He loved music from Patsy Cline and Barbara Streisand to Johnny Mathis and Floyd Cramer, and he had more classic taste in movies as well with “A River Runs Through It”, “Gran Torino”, “Bucket List” and the “Green Mile” being among his favorites. With his dry sense of humor, Phil enjoyed Ed Sullivan and Bennie Hill. Even as he became more afflicted with dementia his sense of humor was still prevalent. He could talk to anyone, anywhere although he was terrible with names. Vivacious, free spirited, and fun loving, Philip Schubert did everything full throttle, which made him so much fun to be around. He had his own style and was a neat freak in every way. Nothing was ever ordinary when Phil was around, and his family was his greatest source of pride and joy. He will never be forgotten.

Philip Edward “Phil” Schubert died on Monday, December 1, 2014 at New Friends Memory Care. Phil is survived by his wife, Marcia; children: Elizabeth Schubert, Michael Schubert, Kathryn Schubert, and Judith (Dan Liston) Schubert, all of Kalamazoo; 4 step-children: Steven (Andrea) Bell of WI, Peter (Lynn) Bell of NC, Melissa (Lee) Bailey, and Rebecca (Matt) Barber both of Paw Paw; grandchildren: Kristel Miller, Preston (Shiloh) Miller, Ryan (Rachel) Sweeney, John Sweeney; step-grandchildren: Tyler (Leah) Bell, Griffin, Nash, Corey and Casey Bell; sister, Nancy Darnall; sisters-in-law: Wanda Schubert, Mary Lambeth and Shirley (Mac) Coffman; and brother-in-law, Fred Shephard. Phil was preceded in death by his parents, sisters: Rosemary Squires and Norma Shephard; and brother, Richard Schubert.

Learn more about Phil, view his Life Story film, and visit with family and friends while sharing food and refreshments on Friday, December 5, 2014, from 5-8 p.m. at the Life Story Funeral Homes, Betzler – Kalamazoo; 6080 Stadium Drive (375-2900), where a memorial service will be held on Saturday 11 a.m. In Lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan.