Quinton Phillips Obituary (2014)

On August 13, 2014, Quintin T. Phillips completed his mortal education with a capstone exam about gracefully enduring prostate cancer. He was born in Panguitch, Utah to Dixie and Hal. He was raised on the farm until Dixie married Tom Phillips who took them to Jarbidge and then Pole Creek, Nevada. The area was a wonderful place filled with wilderness adventure. Tom adopted Quin, loved him and supported him as his own son. The family moved to Twin Falls, Idaho when Quin's brother, Mark was born. Quin started school there and remained until he graduated from high school in 1969. His parents imbued him with a conviction he could do anything, which at the time included skiing, hunting, and, as a budding chemist, experimenting. They helped him develop a love of poetry and music. He also worked as a paperboy and for the local Reeder Flying Service. An important educational experience for Quin was when he attended a National Science Foundation chemistry seminar at Columbia University during the summer following his junior year of high school. He attended Brigham Young University, graduating in 1973 with degrees in chemistry and physics with minors in mathematics and philosophy. He continued his schooling, pursuing studies in environmental and colloidal chemistry. While at BYU he spent summers fighting forest fires, first for the Shoshone BLM District and then for Boise Interagency Fire Center (now National Interagency Fire Center). The job provided many exciting adventures as he traveled to fires in the western states and Alaska. In 1975 he responded to a call to serve a mission in Korea for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His mission lasted two years during which he learned the value of service. He also developed an in depth exposure to a wonderful people and culture. While in Korea he was blessed to meet and work with his "spiritual father," Han In-Sang. Following his missionary service, he returned to school at BYU and married Sue. He had met her seven years earlier. At first, Quin admired Sue's intellect. He grew to love her for her spirit and talents. They moved to Palo Alto, California, where Sue was employed and the couple began a family. First Jason joined them and then Daniel. Quin finished his thesis and landed a job at IBM. After five years with IBM, he strongly felt the need to raise his boys in Idaho and took a job with Hewlett Packard in Boise. The family moved, bought a home on an acre of land and began a new series of adventures. Over time they together learned to ski, raft white water rapids and bicycle. Their adventures kept them close and along, with the work of taming the acre, they found heaven on earth. The music provided by Sue and her sons was a major contributor to this heaven. The foundation of a happy home enabled Quin to enjoy the engineering challenges he found at Hewlett-Packard. He developed leadership skills by serving as the Technical Vice President of a national engineering organization. Quin led efforts internationally to eliminate ozone depleting chemicals in manufacturing processes, and he participated in over 100 patent and intellectual property publications assigned to HP. He also found time for writing and sharing poetry. Quin served his Church in bishoprics, quorum presidencies, as a teacher and in other callings. With those he served and taught he never encountered a question he did not like. His most cherished church assignment was with Sue in helping others prepare for temple service. Sue and family have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of love from Quin's co-workers and church and family friends. The family would also like to thank the physicians and staff of the Idaho Urological Institute and Legacy Hospice. Their compassionate care in the last few days of Quin's life is very much appreciated. A viewing and visitation will be held Friday, August 15 from 6 to 8 pm in the LDS Church Meridian East Stake Center, 11443 W. McMillian Road, Boise. Quinitn's funeral will be Saturday, August 16, at 11 am in the same building. It will be preceded by a viewing and visitation beginning one hour prior. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the LDS Church Perpetual Education Fund, www.ldsphilanthropies.org/perpetual-education-fund.