We were saddened to learn of the death of our classmate, Philip W. ("Phil") Lawler, on December 3, 2007.

Phil is survived by his wife, Sue; daughter Kelly, sons Sean, Brian and Ian and their families, stepmother Elizabeth. We extend to them our heartfelt condolences.

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OBITUARY

Phil Lawler, a longtime resident of Encinitas, passed away peacefully Monday, December 3, 2007, after a bout with cancer. Phil was born May 22, 1940 in Springfield, Massachusetts and grew up in Syracuse, New York. Phil went on to earn a degree in Economics from Dartmouth University in 1962 where he was President of Sigma Chi Fraternity. Upon graduation, Phil enlisted in the Navy and spent the next six years as an officer primarily supporting the effort in Vietnam. He was then honorably discharged and relocated to San Diego settling in the Point Loma area in 1968 and, ultimately, settling in Encinitas in 1973. Phil dabbled as a stockbroker, decided to get his MBA and was then employed as a project manager for Rohr Industries for the next five years. Phil then went on to run his own furniture manufacturing company with a partner for about three years. He was then employed as a project manager for Singer Kearfott, working with defense contracts until the mid 1980's when he started his second career as a teacher for Encinitas Union School District. Phil was then able to retire early with his wife Sue and was very active traveling the world and spending time with friends and family. Phil is survived by his wife Sue, daughter Kelly, son Sean and wife Pam, son Brian and wife Cathy, son Ian, stepmother Elizabeth, and his five grandchildren, Patrick, Ethan, Delaney, Caitlin and Shane. A Viewing is scheduled from 3 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, December 8, 2007, at El Camino Memorial Park and Mortuary, 5600 Carroll Canyon Road, San Diego, CA 92121. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to San Diego Hospice.Please sign the guest book at obituaries.uniontrib.com Published in the San Diego Union-Tribune on 12/6/2007.

Fred Cook:

Phil and I grew up in Syracuse, NY and went to Nottingham High School together, where Phil was President of our senior class. We roomed together during our first three years at Dartmouth, and we both joined Sigma Chi (now the Tabard). We remained good friends with Billy Pierce, Stu Heydt, Larry Cashion, Carl Palmer, and others in our class and fraternity. Phil was president of our house and head of the IFC in our senior year. He majored in Economics and was a member of Sphinx in our senior year. He married his high school sweetheart, Sue Cain. I remember several road trips to Russell sage, where Susie went to college.

I lost track of Phil after graduation, but through the good shepherdship of our reunion chair, Bill Pierce, reconnected with Phil and his wonderful wife via telephone just before Phil died. I don't know how many of you have been on the receiving end of conversations with long-time friends who have thanked you for being part of their lives. I've been in two in the last few months - Zog Loomis and now Phil Lawler. I don't like it at all, and wish it would stop.

Stuart Heydt:

Phil died on December 3rd. I talked to him in November when he was first diagnosed with the malignancy and again around Thanksgiving. I heard from Larry Cashion that he had died.

Phil and Fred Cook were roommates in Topliff in our freshman and sophomore years. I roomed in Topliff with Konrad Streuli freshman year and with Konrad and Tom Holzel our sophomore year. We were fast friends with Phil and Fred. Fred, Phil and I joined Tabard and we roomed together off campus at 9 Sargent Place. Then of course, I left after my junior year to go to graduate school. Phil, as well as Fred came to Judie's and my wedding. We didn't see much of Phil after that. I know he spent some time in the Navy and worked as a stockbroker for a while. Phil and Sue settled in California when he left the Navy and have lived in Encinitas most of their married lives where they raised their family. Years ago, Judie and I and our kids traveled to California and we stayed with Phil and Sue for an overnight. That may be the last time I saw him. We have kept in touch by letter and, later, email.

Phil was a lovable guy. When you talked with him or were with him he was always warm and gracious. He was always interested in what you were doing and talked little about himself. He was clearly a social guy who liked people and interacting with people. I wrote Sue a note expressing my condolences. In it I said that Phil's death would always leave an empty space in my life. College years are special years when you share formative experiences together and form bonds that stick with you for a lifetime. Phil will be missed.

-- Stuart Heydt