Richard Beattie Phillips

Richard Beattie Phillips of Jacksonville, age 80, passed away on October 3 at St. John's Hospital in Springfield from complications following emergency heart surgery. He was born on June 27, 1920 in Bay City, Michigan, the son of former State Senator and banker Ralph William Phillips and Eva Mary Beattie Phillips. Richard wed Lillian A. Ficek on July 12, 1947 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. They were married for 53 years. Richard is survived by his wife; son: Lawrence Richard (wife-Diane)Phillips of Gaithersburg, Maryland; daughter: Laura Lynn (husband-David)Carlson of Albuquerque, New Mexico; daughter: Tamara Phillips (husband-James) Fudge of Moline, Illinois; and six grandchildren: Tracy, Eric, Lawrence, Anna, Richard and David. He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant sister. Richard was a resident of Jacksonville for 24 years. After many years as General Counsel to accounting and consulting firms and large utilities, he moved to Jacksonville and worked at Hertzberg New Method from 1974-1978. He then taught business law and accounting as a professor of Business Administration at MacMurray College from 1979-1993. He founded Marshall, Phillips & Associates, Ltd. of Jacksonville in 1981, a general business consulting firm which also does accounting, auditing, and tax work. He worked there up to the last week of his life. He was a licensed member of the Michigan Bar, a licensed Michigan and Illinois CPA, and a veteran of the Pacific Arena of World War II. His many hobbies included reading, gardening, wine-making and bird feeding. A private gathering of family and friends is planned for Sunday afternoon at his home in Jacksonville. The family of Mr. Phillips is being served by Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 South Sixth Street in Springfield.