Philip Leo Rushlow

Philip Rushlow died on August 23, 2011 after valiantly fighting the last battle of his life, the only one he couldn't win. Still, he fought as he lived, with grace, pride, dignity and excellent humor. He met his fate bravely and fully alert, feeling that dying was a win-win situation: Either he would face oblivion and know nothing or as his acquaintance with the great philosopher Mortimer Adler led him to believe, knowledge would return to knowledge. Thoughtful and highly intelligent, he was proud of his Fellowship at the Aspen Institute, and he co-founded the Institute of Applied Philosophy. Two of his four exciting novels featured Locke Stone as “The Philosopher Stone.” He also wrote collections of provocative essays.

Phil didn't always enjoy the luxuries of philosophy and authorship. Born into a working-class family in Covington, Kentucky on February 2, 1929, he was raised in a blue-collar town, Wyandotte, south of Detroit. Everyone, it seemed, went to work for Wyandotte Chemical or Penn-Salt and labored until their retirement, including his father, Leo. But Phil wanted to wear a tie, so ignoring the combined wisdom of friends and family, he took a cut in pay to work for BF Goodrich and go to night school at Wayne State University. He quickly rose from Credit Manager to Store Manager, and was actively recruited by General Tire. This led him to East Lansing, where he revolutionized the dirty paint-on-the-windows image of tire stores everywhere by designing and building an ultra-comfortable customer-friendly facility that shattered all sales records. He later founded Azure International in Ft. Lauderdale, became Vice President Marketing for Fashion Tress Wigs, and built the world's largest wig company, Fashion Industries, from scratch. Following the sale of his company, he became a successful consultant and developed a keen interest in the advertising business. In 1973, he and his two sons co-founded Group 3hree Advertising, which became the largest agency in the Southeast United States for seven consecutive years by serving a host of Fortune 500 clients. Eventually, Group 3 closed its doors, allowing Phil to write his novels and sharpen his philosophy.

Phil managed all this with the love and support of his wife of 62 years, Bonnie. They were married at age 16 and one year later welcomed their first son, Lee, into the world. David was born 18 months later. Lee still has memories of his father playing semi-pro ball at age 19. During the course of his life Phil also became a competent pianist who also filled the air with great stories, fine conversation and laughter. There was no topic he couldn't address.

Life doesn't come free, though, and in 2007 he lost Bonnie. More tragically, to him, he lost David in September of 2010. But luckily, he was to fall in love with Fonnie Gill, a lady he had first met 35 years earlier.

Words cannot express how he will be missed by Fonnie, his son Lee, his daughter-in-law Andrea, his granddaughters Tracy and Melissa, his great-grandchildren Cameron, Lindsey, and Jake, and his many friends.

Arrangements under the direction of Forest Lawn Funeral Home, Pompano Beach, FL.