Beloved husband of Patricia for 61 years; loving father of Vicki (Dan) Geneva; caring grandfather of Nicholas and Patrick Geneva; and uncle of Liz Rebsom and Jerre Johnson. Philip was predeceased by his parents Victor and Nelle (Amrien) Gerwert and his brother Tom Gerwert.
Philip was born in Pittsburgh, Kansas on January 1, 1936. He graduated from high school in Joplin, Missouri and joined the United States Army. Philip earned his Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering from Missouri School of Mines and Metalugry and married Patricia Ann Vitizithum on June 9, 1957 in Rolla, Missouri. The couple moved to St. Louis where Philip began his long and distinguished career at General Motors that lasted until his retirement in 1995. Philip raised his family with Pat in Rochester where they have lived since 1973.
Philip was a former president of the International Water Environment Federation. He was a past president of the Kiwanis Club of Rochester. Phil volunteered for Crittenton Hospital as treasurer for the Auxiliary and gift shop as well as volunteering in the ER and security. He had been actively involved at University Presbyterian Church serving as an Elder and on their building committee. Phil loved spending time with family and friends, giving his grandsons his great words of wisdom, traveling and playing golf and bridge.
Philip’s family will receive all for a visitation on Sunday January 6, 2019 from 1 to 5 p.m. at Pixley Funeral Home, located at 322 West University Drive in downtown Rochester, Michigan and on Monday January 7, 2019 from 10:30 a.m. until the time of funeral service at 11 a.m. at University Presbyterian Church, located at 1385 S. Adams Rd. in Rochester Hills, Michigan.
Memorial contributions may be made in Philip’s honor to the Alzheimer’s Association, 25200 Telegraph Rd., Ste. 100, Southfield, MI 48033 or online at www.alz.org. or
