Philip Edward DiBartola Jr.

Philip was born January 5, 1931, to Philip Edward DiBartola, Sr. and Martha Weimann DiBartola in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Phil was married to Carol Lane DiBartola 63 years before Carol’s passing in 2014. Phil and Carol began their married life in Baltimore, Maryland, where Phil started his aviation career. After graduating from The University of Pittsburgh in 1953, he went to work for Glenn L. Martin Company. During his employment with Glenn L. Martin Company, he spent a year at Holloman Air Force Base in Alamogordo, New Mexico, where he was aerodynamicist on the field crew testing the Matador Missile. In 1959 Phil, Carol and their first three children moved to San Diego, California, where he went to work for Convair General Dynamics. In 1961, Phil began working for Teledyne-Ryan Aeronautical, where he worked on designing the XV5A-VSTOL aircraft and later on developing Unmanned Aircraft for the U.S. Air Force, including the Ryan Firebee Drone. While living in Southern California, Phil developed an interest in scuba diving and eventually purchased “The Duchess,” a boat that the family often enjoyed voyages to nearby Catalina Island on. After raising five children in Southern California, Phil and Carol retired to Tabiona, Utah. With the help of his children and grandchildren he built a cabin in the Uinta Mountains. Phil’s passion for aviation continued into retirement as he enjoyed restoring vintage aircraft. Phil and Carol eventually settled into retirement moving to High Mesa Air Park in Safford, Arizona where Phil continued to fly well into his 80’s.

Philip is survived by two sons, Philip Edward (Clardon) DiBartola, III of Lithchfield Park, AZ and Edward Richard (Anna) DiBartola of Perris, CA, two daughters Jennifer(Gary) Elliott and Annette (Robert) Wheeler both of Advance, NC, a brother Stephen(Maxey) DiBartola of Columbus, Ohio, ten Grandchildren and twenty-one Great Grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Carol Lane DiBartola, a daughter Patricia Joette DiBartola Dee and a brother Wayne DiBartola.

The family would like to thank Clemmons Village Assisted Living II for their tireless care of our father and Medi Home Health & Hospice for their compassionate care.

My Dad once wrote that he would like to be remembered as a lover of flying machines and the challenge of flight. His children and grandchildren will fondly remember him as a wonderful patient teacher.