Dr. Philip Captain was my professor at Liberty University when I entered as a junior in 1996. I was on the verge of dropping out and going back to New York. Of all the people I have met, he was remarkable at reading people. He saw through me, recognized that the decision was coming from insecurity rather than conviction, and convinced me to stay and finish.
Thirty years later I have been in private practice for the last fourteen years. I owe a great deal of that to Dr. Captain. Had it not been for him, I might not have continued down this path to where I am today.
I only just learned of his passing in 2021. I am grateful I had the chance to be his student.

I had the greatest privilege to study under his teaching at   Campbellsville College in the 1975 - 1977.  I found him to be a strict, caring and always willing to discuss threory.  He was the one individuals influential me in life. I had always concerned him my guide other than God and my Parents.

Dr. Captain was a gem of man.  I was his student in the late 90s at Liberty University.  I was a biology major and took one of his courses as an elective.  I liked him so much as a professor that I took every class he taught.  Back then I was around 19 or 20 and a beast in the gym.  I remember he took me on several hikes and absolutely killed me.  I could hardly believe his ability to walk what felt  like 15 miles in one day.  He used to mentor me several times per month and really spoke life into me.  He inspired me to do what I do now.  I know I will see him again in heaven.  

Dr. Jeffrey Frank Peacock

So sorry for your loss. Dr. Captain was an integral part of my degree decision as well as how I was a wife and mother. Well done Dr. Captain. Your legacy lives on.

Hello Donna and family. 
I was a student of Dr. Captain's before, during, and after his initial battle with cancer. To see his passion for teaching even through that battle was a HUGE inspiration for me. It made me want to be like him; to pass on knowledge with a sense of urgency, while there was still a chance. Amazingly, he told me of the angel who came into his room to tell him he would survive and that he would teach for many more years. WOW! His faith was amazing and his walk with Christ was REAL. The last time I saw him, he was out jogging and looked as healthy as an ox. I honked and he waved. I also remember how much he loved singing in the choir!! I later did exactly what he inspired in me. After becoming successful in business, I made time to teach college in the evenings and I even took a year off from my business to teach high school. I actually included MANY things I learned from him in class. Things that were incredibly insightful, such as "the gluers and the breakers" and "muddling through," to name a few. They were shared with hundreds with his name attached. What funny titles he gave to such deep and complex psychological behaviors. That helped us all remember them! I have also taught them to my children and those in my business. His input into my life is as strong today as it was in the mid to late 90s. I can't wait to see him on the other side. We will have much to talk about!

Dave Cummings

I was a student of Dr Captain in the early to mid 1990’s and  am an LU Alum.
One day as I was in the hall near his office everyone was going to class I saw Dr Captain and he said to me, “Paco do you need a hug?” I will never forget. Right in the middle of a busy Demos Hall corridor.  Dr. Captain loved the Lord.  How precious was that day and the days I sat under the tutelage of Dr Captain. Marriage and the Family classes. I come from a broken home and Liberty was a haven for me where the Lord sent me in my early years.
God Bless you all.
The Lord comfort and strengthen you daily.
The Lord Be Magnified Forevermore,
Amen.

I remember his teaching 43 years  later about the stages of development relating to the dispensations in the bible.
Ron Axtell

Dr Captain was one of my most favorite teachers. He challenged us to think and see what the Lord would say. I really enjoyed my classes those 35 years ago. May the Lord bless his family as you miss him

Mr. Captain was hands down one of my most memorable instructors at LU. I still have class
materials and use them from time to time. 18 years later I still think of him. My heart felt condolences to the family. 

Hi Donna,  I learned of Phil's passing some time after his passing.  Then today his obituary came up on my screen.  I do not know how or why, but I am so grateful.   Donna, I pray you are doing as well as possible to adjusting to life without your mate.   My memories of Phil are all so positive.  Such a talent!  I had the privilege of being at his side through 4 seasons of C C  and Track during his Taylor days.  I even remember when the two of you started dating.  50 years together.  Good job for both of you.

Blessings on you Donna,  May our Lord and your family continue to be your support.           George  Glass

I first met Dr, Captain as a freshman at Liberty in 1994. I found myself thinking about the time when he had the class sing You Lost That Lovin’ Feeling by The Righteous Brothers.  He was trying to get a point across about loss.  He started singing it and trying to get the rest of the class to sing along too.  No one said anything.  So he tried again, this time with more and more students joining in.   Finally, we are all singing this song as monotone as possible per his direction.  When we stopped, the class on the other side of the folding wall, immediately started laughing.  Then our class started laughing too.  Dr. Captain just smiled for a few minutes and went right back to teaching.  Dr. Captain was an amazing professor and a godly man.  He made an impact on my life and I’m grateful to have met and studied his teachings.  Peace and prayers.

To the Family of Philip Captain: Our deepest condolences on the loss of Phil. I am also a TU CC and Track alumnus (Class of '81), which is a few years after the great Phil Captain. His excellence was often recounted by Coach Glass, and he remains on the Top Ten List in the Steeplechase. No doubt he would have remained on the List for the Mile and other events that were measured in yards. I recall meeting Phil at a TU CC/TF event many years ago where running stories were happily shared. May God bless each of you at this difficult time.
Jayman A. Avery III

Dear Donna and family,
We are all aware of the reality of the end of life (here on earth) for all of us.  Yet, when I read of Phil's passing I was caught off guard and very sad.
Phil was one of the most gifted and talented students with whom I ever worked.
As I shared the news of his death with our oldest daughter this morning (who was most likely 9 or 10 at that time) and ask if she remembered who I was speaking of, her quick response surprised me.  I expected something about his outstanding running career but instead she remembered him singing the lead in "Oklahoma".
SO gifted and talented.  Thank you for touching our lives Phil.  You will be remembered and missed.

Donna,
I'm so sorry to hear of Phil's passing.  I will always remember him as a friend and colleague during our years at Liberty.  Edna and I are praying for you and the family.

Larry Nelson

I am a classmate from elementary and high school. Although we haven't seen each other since high school, Philip is remembered with kindness and fondness.

He will be sorely missed by each of you. But, as a Christian, husband, father, grandfather, professor - his impact and legacy will continue to live for many generations.

May each of you find solace, peace, and comfort in our great creator God during this time of loss.

Dave Smeltzer

Before we moved overseas, we were part of the Logos Sunday school with Phil. We will always remember when he stood up in class one Sunday and completely unprompted, challenged the class to take up an offering for us as our only car was dying. He told the class to treat us like they would treat their own grandchildren. It was an act of faith that blessed us greatly.

I taught at LU from '79 to '94, and both Gail and I greatly enjoyed our friendship with Phil and Donna. What a blessing it is to have the sadness of losing a friend eased by the joy of our future reunion.

Lane

Donna,
So sorry to hear of the huge loss of Phil to your family. It is also a huge loss to us friends and teammates. Donna, you and Margo Dubach were so special to us CC guys as we were away from home and you filled the place of our mothers which we needed. I respected Phil as  the one person whom I knew that was able to do EVERYTHING he did very, very well. He was so accomplished! In cross country practices we were so competitive that Coach Glass once pulled us aside and said “back off for the sake of the team.” We did.  I watched Phil run a masterful steeplechase race at nationals in Billings Montana which he proceeded to win after this being the first year for the event. It was truly a work of art in a very difficult event. An incredible special man. See you in eternity.
Love,
Ralph

Dr. Captian was one of the most influential mentors in my life. In my college years, and early adult life, I never made an important decision without speaking with Dr. Captian. He would never make the decision for me but would always share wisdom and godly counsel. Dr. Captain will be dearly missed by a host of former students and friends. Praying for Donna and the family.

Donna and family,
I am so sorry to hear of this great loss.  You are all in my prayers as you walk through these next weeks. I will be out of state, and will not be able to attend the celebration of life service, but know that you will be on my heart.  Donna, call me anytime if you want to. Love you! 

I was a student of Dr. Captain's at Liberty in the early 80s.  He influenced my thinking about a Christian perspective of Psychology.  He also challenged me to study and explore what scripture tells us about how God created us.  When my own children attended Liberty, I ran into Dr. Captain at the football stadium.  We had a great conversation and I was able to tell him how much I appreciated his influence.   I am grateful for his strong, godly character.  I will always remember him as an important part of my life. 

OBITUARY

Philip Alan Captain

June 20, 1947 – July 14, 2021

Whitten Timberlake Chapel

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