Philip Thomas Zeilinger

Philip’s childhood was spent on his family’s farm on the outskirts of David City, where he completed grade school and junior high. He left David City for the Wentworth Military Academy in Lexington, Missouri, where he completed his high school and junior college studies. Philip then went on to the University of Kansas, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering.

Upon receiving his degree from the University of Kansas, Philip entered the U.S. Army, where he spent several years in the 1960s serving as an Army Air Defense Artillery Officer, stationed near Osan Air Force Base in South Korea, as well as outside Lincoln, Nebraska, and in Fort Bliss, Texas.

Not long after his honorable discharge from the Army, Philip moved to Phoenix, where he began a long and notable career as a Controls and Accessories Engineer at what then was AiResearch Manufacturing Company. By the time Philip retired, more than 30 years later, the company had gone through several corporate mergers and changes, having become part of Honeywell, and Philip’s duties primarily were serving as an FAA Designated Engineering Representative (DER) for the company.

An active Freemason for over 50 years, Philip held many positions and honors. He was a Master Mason in Fidelity Lodge #51 in David City and later became a Worshipful Master of Phoenicia Lodge #58 in Paradise Valley, Arizona. He was a KYCH York Rite Mason, a 33rd Degree Scottish Rite Mason, and a member of the Royal Order of Scotland.

Philip was also a former private pilot who loved to travel, having visited all 50 US states and each of the seven continents.

Philip was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Sylvia Zeilinger, his wife of 46 years, Elna Rae Simpson Zeilinger, his stepdaughter, Shari Rae Pohlman Koelsch, and his brother George Zeilinger. Philip’s earlier marriage, to the late Melinda Brown of Stafford, Kansas, ended in divorce. He is survived by his son, Christopher Zeilinger (Ann Baker), grandson Kyle Koelsch (Stephanie Cates), granddaughter Kelsie Koelsch, brothers David (Sharon) and Ernest, sisters Martha Ford, Sara Sevey, and Joanne Owens (Steve Aderhold), as well as several cousins, nephews, and nieces, including Tara Kay Simpson Ehnes (Scott).

A memorial service and catered reception will be held on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 beginning at 9:00 AM at Resthaven/Carr-Tenney Mortuary & Memorial Gardens, 4310 East Southern Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85042. A graveside service with military honors will follow at 12:30 PM at Double Butte Cemetery, 2505 West Broadway Rd, Tempe, AZ 85282. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Foundation for Living Medicine, or to the charity of your choice.