Richard “Dick” Phillips

Obituary

Richard (Dick) Phillips was born on November 2, 1940, to Winfred Frank and Velma (Henneman) Phillips in Kimball, MN. Dick was baptized, confirmed, and received his early education in Hector, MN. He moved with his family to Hutchinson, MN, in 1955. He was a graduate of the Hutchinson High School class of 1958. After graduating from the Globe Business College in St. Paul, Dick volunteered for duty in the Minnesota National Guard.

Upon his return from military training, Dick was employed by the First National Bank in Hutchinson before joining the 3M Company. He was employed by 3M for 36 years; 28 years in Hutchinson and finishing his career in 1996 as the Human Resources Manager in Alexandria, Minnesota.

On October 7, 1960, Dick and his high school sweetheart Joan Lindenberg were united in holy matrimony. Their union was blessed with five children.

Dick was a charter member of the Hutchinson Elks Lodge 2427. He received the distinct honor of being voted Hutchinson Elk of the Year in 1973. He initiated the Elks National Hoop Shoot into the Minnesota Elks Association in 1974 and was Chairman of the Board of the Hutchinson Elks in 1978. Dick was an American Legion member for 51 years, first in Hutchinson Post 96 then transferring his membership to Crosslake/Fifty Lakes Post 500 in Crosslake. While a member of the Crosslake/Fifty Lakes American Legion, Dick held the position as Finance Officer for several years.

In 1968 Dick and Joan purchased vacation property on Cross Lake in northern Minnesota. Their vacation property became the centerpoint for family and friends. Dick’s favorite activities included water skiing (in his younger years) and teaching countless people to water ski (joking about adding a notch to his belt for every person he taught). Dick also enjoyed boating, pulling and launching tubers, and discussions around the campfires (rarely without an E&J / water).

In 1986, the couple built a home on their Cross Lake property. The Cross Lake experience was further enhanced when one son spent summer weekends on a nearby lake and his other two sons purchased cabins 1/4 mile up the shoreline on Cross Lake. This “family compound” became very special to Dick and was the source of tremendous joy - enjoying creating lifetime memories with children, grandchildren, and a great grandchild.

Dick was mechanically inclined and there wasn’t anything he couldn’t fix.

Upon retirement in 1996, Dick and Joan moved to their retirement home on Cross Lake. Dick was elected to the Crosslake City Council in 2003, serving for four years.

After being retired for several Minnesota winters, Dick and Joan decided to become snow birds and embraced the RV lifestyle, exploring the southern United States for a few winters before purchasing their winter home in Lake Havasu City, AZ in 2006.

Dick is survived by his wife Joan of 65 years; sons David “Joe” (Karla), Lake Havasu City, AZ; Rick (Kelly), Crosslake, MN; Ron (Jodi), Centerville, MN; daughter Cathy Christenson, Shakopee, MN; Brother Larry (Jan), Hutchinson, MN; seven grandchildren, four step grandchildren, 4 and 2/3rds great grandchildren and 5 step great grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents Win and Velma, an infant daughter Jacqueline Joan, daughter-in-law Brenda, and step grandson RJ.