Donald Seybirt Phillips

Donald S. Phillips, who, in a 50-year career as a news reporter, editor and columnist, wrote about topics as diverse as black Americans’ struggle for civil rights, U.S. economic policy, railroading in the United States and Europe, and a succession of fatal airliner crashes, died Sept. 23 in McLean. He was 83 and had suffered a number of health problems in recent years.

Don was born on June 10, 1942, in Birmingham, Ala., to Lucile (Pettus) Phillips and Seybirt Phillips. His lifelong interest in railroading was apparent when he was barely more than a toddler, and years later, he told of walking with his mother through his hometown of Talladega and begging to stop to watch as trains chugged by.

Initially an engineering major at Auburn University, he soon realized that he was more interested in reporting and writing about the news of the day. After changing his major to journalism, he graduated in 1965 and began working for United Press International, covering civil rights from the Atlanta bureau, economic and tax policies on Capitol Hill, and presidential campaigns.

His interest in trains and other “big things that move,” as he said, eventually led to jobs reporting on transportation for The Washington Post and The International Herald Tribune and covering a number of high-profile plane crashes.

Outside of work, he was a lifelong railfan, traveling throughout the world to photograph trains, especially the dwindling number of steam locomotives that remained in service.

He was an enthusiastic father and grandfather, who proudly saw his family grow and threw his trademark support and encouragement behind everyone he loved.

Don is survived by his wife, Linda Werfelman, of Falls Church, Va.; son Mark Phillips (Barb Bronson) of Richmond, Va.; daughter Lisa Wood (Steve) of Athens, Ohio; stepdaughter Sara Baygents (Marshall Richards) of Leesburg, Va.; sisters Dina Elder (Mark) of Boulder, Colo., and Susan Ray (Travis) of Talladega; grandchildren Amber Phillips and Jacob Phillips, both of Richmond; Rachel Wood of Indianapolis, Ind.; Cassidy Wood of Washington, D.C.; Hunter Wood (Andy Veladota) of Spokane, Wash.; Madison Phillips of New York City; and Emily Phillips of Reston, Va.; and daughters-in-law Julie Shilling of Reston and Janet Phillips of Richmond.

He was preceded in death by a son, Daniel Phillips; his parents; and his ex-wife and mother of his children, Ione Dellinger Phillips.

A small family celebration of his life is planned for later this fall.

The family thanks the staff of Paragon Assisted Living in McLean for their care and kindness in Don’s final weeks.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Center for Railroad Photography & Art.