SEYMOUR
Robert Dale Phillips, 85, of 306 North Park Dr., Seymour, Indiana, passed away at 5:14 a.m. on Friday, July 26, 2024, at Our Hospice Inpatient Facility, Columbus, IN.
Born in Daulton Hollow, near Sparksville, IN, on March 28, 1939, he was the son of Paul D. and Delores Z. Allman Phillips, both of whom preceded him in death.
Robert graduated from Brownstown High School in 1958, after which he enlisted in the United States Air Force with his best friend, Larry Ivory. He served for four years which included three years overseas in Bitburg, Germany. In February 1962, after his honorable discharge, he returned to Brownstown, IN. On August 5, 1962, at Brownstown Christian Church he married Karen Kay Wright, and she survives in Seymour, IN. Robert then worked at Cummins and retired from Toyota Industrial Equipment Manufacturing. He was a member of Driftwood Christian Church.
As a child, he developed a lifelong love for flying. An old saying goes “To most people, the sky is the limit. To those who love aviation, the sky is home.” His intense interest in flying influenced him to take his first flying lesson at Franklin Flying Field on January 23, 1968. During his career as a commercial pilot and flight instructor, he accumulated thousands of hours of flying time and owned several airplanes including an Aeronca Champ that he learned to fly in. He taught hundreds of certified airmen how to fly. None of his students experienced a casualty from his training. Robert soloed Gregg Pardieck at sixteen years of age, and they maintained a loyal friendship of 55 years afterwards. He enjoyed sailing, attending auctions, Jadeite glass, collecting sharks’ teeth at Venice Beach Florida and spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He also enjoyed working on old BMW’s with his son.
Survivors include a son, Robert Scott Phillips, Bloomington and a daughter, Angela Kay Ginger, Seymour; brother, Johnny C. (Patty) Phillips, Franklin; sister, Linda Murphy, Medora; grandchildren, Katherine Kay Fish, Mackensie Kay Pack, Kailey Jo Ginger, Kara Elisabeth Ginger, and Wyatt William Robert Ginger; great granddaughters, Crystal Anastasia Stout and Carsin Nichole Stout; friends, Bill Herndon, Gregg Pardieck, and Garry Taylor; in-laws: Michael J. (Pauline) Wright, Seymour, Douglas W. (Carleen) Wright, Salem, Timothy J. Wright, Seymour, Mark G. Wright (Vicki Valdez), Alaska, and Linda Wright, Sellersburg; several nieces and nephews.
Robert was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Eula Mae Hauck and Norma “Jeri” Hall; a brother, Paul Gene Phillips; and friend, Jack Hildreth.
There will be no services at this time. Burial will be in Vallonia Cemetery.
Johnson Funeral Home is honored to assist the family of Robert Phillips.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.johnsonfh.net.