Golf courses across Kansas City and Scottsdale are mourning one of their most dedicated customers. Philip Alan “Phil” Koffman died on November 13, 2021 after living with a great attitude in spite of metastatic pancreatic cancer for the last two years.
Phil was born on July 30, 1945 to Joe and Alice Koffman. He was a lifelong Kansas City resident. His parents were founding members of Meadowbrook Country Club, and it was there that Phil fell in love with golf and began to perfect his short game. He graduated from Shawnee Mission East High School (though everyone thinks he went to Southwest) and eventually earned a degree from Emporia State.
In 1965, he met Marie Mittelman at a mutual friend’s house and convinced her to go fishing with him the next day. In spite of making her bait the hooks, he won her over, and they were married on August 27, 1967. He worked five years at Hallmark as a cost analyst, but in 1976 he began a successful career at Mittelman Furniture Company. He had a wonderful relationship with his in-laws, and he was able to grow the business by moving from manufacturing to distributing.
In the meantime , Marie and Phil had two children, Brad and Kerry, and they lived a storybook suburban life. Phil worked hard, led by example, and appreciated what he had. In 1986, he had a heart attack and required a triple bypass, but he took it in stride. His family relationships grew stronger as he aged, and he became close to his four grandchildren as well.
Phil loved his golf buddies and somehow managed to keep playing golf 3-4 times per week even while undergoing chemotherapy. Once diagnosed, winters in Scottsdale seemed out of the question, but he made it back for two full winters, which he enjoyed more than ever. Phil also loved playing gin rummy, watching sports, and eating out.
Phil was a sweet man and a good friend. He knew how to enjoy life, he knew what was important, and he didn’t sweat the small stuff. He was an emotional guy, but only in the best ways. He would choke up at anything remotely sentimental, and any decent joke would make him laugh until he cried. Phil was happiest on the golf course, but he was most proud of his business accomplishments, his children, his grandchildren, and his 54 year marriage to the love of his life.
Phil was predeceased by his parents Alice and Joe Koffman, his in-laws Sara and Israel Mittelman, and his closest friend Mike Ravis. He is survived by his wife Marie, his sister Sherry Seligson (Saul Gitomer), his brother-in-law Harry Mittelman (Brenda), his children Brad & Amanda Koffman and Kerry & David Kuluva, his grandkids Jordan & Paige Kuluva and Quinn & Cady Koffman, and his nieces & nephews.
Funeral arrangements can be found at www.mtmoriah.net. Please feel free to join us in person or virtually. There will be a virtual Shiva at 6:30 pm on Tuesday evening.
If you can, please donate blood. Donations in memory of Phil can be made to Pancreatic Cancer Action Network at PanCAN.org or to Crohn's and Colitis Foundation at 11184 Antioch #155, Overland Park, KS 66210.
