Philip Kim Barbour

Philip Kim Barbour -- dearly, dearly adored son of Bokju and Andrew, and goofy big brother to his wonderful sister Sabine -- passed away at age 14 years and five weeks on Wednesday, March 23, 2022. Philip was a natural scientist cast in the mold of Tom Sawyer. He explored the muddy monsoon biomes of the Ventana Canyon wash in front of his house, using his own clothes for the collection of samples. In Maui, he tossed himself on top of waves crashing on shore, and rolled himself dizzy down grassy hills. He surveyed the forest canopies of Costa Rica from ziplines above and from waterfalls below, and spat from bridges high above whitewater canyons outside of Vancouver. He studied tadpoles and turtles in the mountain streams of Korea, and chased giant monitor lizards in Singapore.

Philip was a skilled pianist; he revived the century-old family Steinway with fluent renditions of Maple Leaf Rag and Fantasie Impromptu. He was a fitness enthusiast who never wasted an opportunity to do push-ups or to challenge his old man to a dead-arm contest. He was a marksman who loved shooting his dad’s old Winchester Model 71, he was a cartoonist with a keen eye for caricature, a straight-A student, a craftsman, and he could solve a Rubik’s Cube in one breath. His feet could out-stink anyone’s. He had a devilishly handsome smile and a sense of humor that could excuse all mischief. He was the best son his parents could have prayed for.

Above all, he was kind. He soothed his parents’ stresses with gentle humor and true affection, and frequently told them “I love you” even before they did. He was constantly helping his classmates through difficult homework. He rescued every bee and toad in the pool and met every cat and dog with instant friendship. He was immensely proud of his little sister, but had the courtesy never to tell her directly lest she be completely grossed out. Philip’s final act of kindness to others was the donation of his organs to strangers in need of a second chance at life.

His loss is devastating, but if that pain is the price his family must pay in exchange for all of the joy and pride he brought, they still got an incredible bargain. Omma, Daddy, and Sabine love you, and they will always be proud of you, Kid.

In lieu of flowers or donations, please think of Philip and take a moment to perform an act of kindness for someone who needs it.