The family will be hosting a memorial service for extended family and friends on Sunday, June 1st, 2025 at 2:00 pm, Hines-Rinaldi Funeral Home, 11800 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, Maryland 20904. After the memorial service, guests are welcome to stay for music and food while we share laughter and warm memories of Bob. Please feel free to dress comfortably (formal attire not required). A private burial will be held in Belleville, Pennsylvania at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that any donations in Bob’s honor be made to the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Officers Relief Fund https://www.mcleorf.org/, or the American Heart Association https://www.heart.org/. Thank you.
All about Bob…
Bob was born in 1945 in Washington, D.C. to William W. Phillips of Pennsylvania and Linda E. Morgan of North Carolina. The family settled down in Silver Spring, Maryland and Bob later graduated from Northwood High School. He also obtained a B.S. in Criminal Justice from the University of Maryland in 1983.
In 1966, Bob joined the Montgomery County Police Department, where he dedicated 34 years of service in various police positions until his retirement in 2000. He moved from patrol officer to Detective Sergeant Robert Phillips in 1981, later becoming Sergeant of the Silver Spring Investigative Section and subsequently MCPD’s Major Crimes-Homicide & Sex unit. As a result of his persistence in investigating some of the highest profile murder cases in Montgomery County and Maryland history, he earned numerous awards, including MCPD’s Supervisor of the Year in 1997, Honorary Asst. State’s Attorney for Montgomery County in 2000, and a Police and Fire Rescue Service Meritorious Award in 2000.
Upon retirement, Bob continued to work as a volunteer for the police department in order to pursue one of his greatest passions–researching cold cases. He did this for several years and subsequently helped to establish Montgomery County Police Department’s first ever “Cold Case” squad in 2002. The squad is still going strong today.
In his spare time, Bob (affectionately known as "Pop") enjoyed fishing, golf, collecting model trains, travelling, and spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. He is survived by his children: Robert (Monica) Phillips Jr. and Theresa (Richard Meyerdirk) Phillips; six grandchildren: Melissa, Mariana (Brian), Tyler, Eden, Meadow, and Liberty; and one great-grandson: Noah.
