Frederick (Fred) Lee Phillips born in Tippecanoe County on September 27, 1942, the anchor of his family from childhood throughout his adult life passed on August 31, 2014. He spent his final days, as he wished, at the family farm in Clinton County.
In 1966 Fred was working as a security guard at Shopper's Fair while attending Purdue. The first time he spoke to a lovely young clerk, named Lillian, he ask her to show her hands on the counter. Turns out he just wanted to see if she was single and did not have a ring on her finger. On October 8, 1967 they were married and the rest is history. For many years Fred and Lillian have been known in Lafayette, her for her kind heart and Fred for his political commentary on current events.
Fred graduated from Lafayette Jefferson High School in 1960. He was awarded an academic scholarship to Purdue University. After one year of studies Fred decided to pursue his passion for aviation by enlisting in the United States Air Force. He was based at Kessler Air Force Base in Mississippi in the 3407th Squadron starting in 1961. He was Honorably Discharged in July of 1965.
Upon returning to Lafayette he continued his studies at Purdue University and received degrees in Bachelors of Science in Electrical Engineering in 1970 and a Masters of Science in Electrical Engineering in 1972.
After graduating from his Masters Program Fred started his career as an Electrical Engineer at Essex Wire (later known as United Technologies), where Fred worked for 27 years. While working at United Technologies he designed an Ignition Wire Core Conductive Irregularity Detector which was awarded a United States Patent on
June 11, 1991.

Fred is survived by his wife of 47 years Lillian Sanson Phillips of Lafayette, Indiana; his one son, Ty (Stacie) Phillips, Lebanon, IN; two daughters, Cindy (Craig) Curtis, Chicago, IL; Misti (Brian) James, Austin, TX. Seven Grandchildren, Sebastian (Fiancé Dakota), Nicholas, Cassidy, and Lilly Phillips; Colin and Caitlyn Curtis; and Grayson James and "soon to arrive Baby James II." Great-Grandchildren, Aiden Phillips and "soon to arrive Langston Phillips." Also, survived by a long time great friend and brother-in-law, George Sanson (companion Wilma Krug), Veedersburg, IN. Fred is the oldest of 4 siblings - Johnnie Phillips, Las Vegas, NV; Charlie Phillips, Lafayette, IN; Judy Allhands, West Point, IN; Sharon Harvey, Lafayette, IN. Fred is the son of the late Armetha Sanders Phillips and Jessie Phillips.
Visitation will be at Grace United Methodist Church, Lafayette 1:00-3:00 p.m. Saturday, September 6, 2014. Funeral services will follow at 3:00 p.m. at the church with Rev. Jim Ramsey officiating. Burial will follow in Pond Grove Cemetery, Otterbein. Family & Friends Funeral Home of Wingate is assisting the family. Visit us online to share a memory or leave a condolence at www.familyandfriendsfh.com
Family and continuing education were two of the strong beliefs that Fred has always spoken about during his life. In lieu of flowers, contributions are preferred to Purdue University Foundation, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, ECE Undergraduate Scholarship Fund in Fred's Memory. If you choose to contribute in this way you may bring a check to the service or mail directly to: Purdue Foundation, 403 West Wood Street, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2007 or online via link below.
Online by https://donate.purdue.edu/Menu.aspx select the one time gift option, Choose the school and scholarship fund, note that this is in memory of Fred Phillips.