Philip Phil E. Hermann

Philip Edward Hermann was born in New Orleans, LA on Sept. 16, 1931 to Miriam Davidson and Edward Frederick Hermann. He passed away after a short illness on Dec.16, 2012.

Phil was raised in a musical setting (father a clarinetist, mother a bugler), and showed extraordinary musical talent from an early age. He became first-chair clarinetist in his freshman year at Jesuit High School in New Orleans. He played professionally while enrolled at Louisiana State University, gaining road-band experience with the Johnny Long Orchestra during summer vacation, and playing with the legendary Carl Fontana 6 nights per week during the academic year while earning a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering. Phil started a distinguished engineering career upon graduation from LSU in 1954 at Philco Corporation in Philadelphia, PA where he met his bride of 51 years, Virginia Frances Hobson. While living in the Phildadelphia area and working full-time, he earned a master's degree in electrical engineering from Drexel University. He subsequently pursued his engineering calling in Lansdale, PA, in Raleigh, NC, and in Phoenix, AZ, all while playing music professionally on weekends. He retired at age 65 from engineering and continued playing with big bands in the Phoenix area (including the Arizona Big Band in Scottsdale) and co-leading the Salty River Dogs. He recorded a nationally-distributed and highly acclaimed CD entitled "Bossa San Miguel" (Dingbat Records) with his trombonist brother Allen Hermann.

He is survived by his wife, Virginia F. Hermann, by his brother Allen Hermann of Golden, CO, and by his sister Joan Hermann Ginsburg of Ponchatoula, LA.

Memorial service plans are pending.