Mr. Philip Litman

Philip Litman (age 93), a native of New York City who later made his home in Rockville, Maryland, passed away in Frederick, Maryland on December 7, 2020. Beloved husband of Freda Litman and father of Diane Litman and Eric Litman, Philip is also survived by his son-in-law Mark Kahrs, daughter-in-law Randi Litman, and grandchildren Noah Kahrs, Sarah Litman, and Ryan Litman. Graveside Services were held Thursday December 10 at Parklawn Memorial Park, Rockville, Maryland.

Philip was born in 1927 and grew up in the Bronx borough of New York City. He was the second child of Nathan and Gussie Litman, emigrants from Tsarist Russia. Philip enlisted in the US Navy at age 17 with his parents’ permission, served in the Arctic (Newfoundland, Greenland, Iceland) aboard a destroyer escort during World War II, and was honorably discharged in 1946. At the time, twelve million GIs were being discharged, many attempting to enroll in colleges that were overwhelmed with applicants. As a result, a few all-women colleges accepted veterans. Philip enrolled in Hunter College in 1946. There he met his future wife Freda at a Hillel square dance in 1950. They were married in 1952.

After working five years in the private sector as an accountant and auditor, Philip was appointed as a Special Agent with the Internal Revenue Service. His primary work was in the investigation of organized crime and political corruption. Two of his major cases involved the Chairman of the New York State Liquor Authority and a “Capo” in the Carlo Gambino crime organization. In 1966, Philip was promoted to a supervisory position in the IRS National Office, Washington, DC, where he coordinated major criminal investigations, trained new Special Agents in investigative techniques, and supervised electronic surveillance operations. He also served as a member of the President’s Task Force on Organized Crime. Due to mandatory retirement provisions, Philip retired from the IRS in 1983.

Philip was hired as the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission’s Audit Division Chief in 1984 and served in that capacity until 2004 when he retired for a second time. He worked another two years under contract, supervising the Audit Division until a new Audit Manager was hired and conducting select special investigations for the Commission, and finally retired at age 80. Like at the IRS, he helped train new employees; in both of his careers, he was well-known as a mentor. In 2007, Philip was elected as Treasurer of the M-NCPPC Retirees Association and held that post through 2014.

Philip and Freda lived in Rockville, Maryland until July 2011 when they moved to the Homewood Retirement community in Frederick, Maryland. There he served as treasurer for the Homewood Residents Association, and greatly enjoyed managing the distribution of a yearly bonus to all the employees.

Philip adored the sunlight and his wife Freda. He was known for his thoughtfulness and kindness, and was a skilled punster. Also known for his generosity, he was able to provide for much of his family’s education. He loved to sit outdoors on his balcony or patio, read and watch TV shows and movies about WWII, and go for scenic car, bus, and train rides in the country. The ever changing weather was always an obsession. He loved gadgets and was a technology enthusiast; for all holidays and special occasions he designed his own greeting cards on his computer. He loved all Jewish deli food, especially corned beef and pastrami sandwiches, matzah ball soup, latkes, and pickles, as well as dairy foods like pickled herring in sour cream. And schav. No bagel was safe from a slice of fresh onion.

He was very proud of the many ways he was able to serve his country over his lifetime, and to have risen from modest roots to achieve the American Dream.