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Date of these obituaries: 09-08-2003
Kurt Philipps, noted lawyer, author, professor
Kurt A. Philipps Jr. literally wrote the book on Kentucky trial and appellate practice.
It's called West's "Kentucky Practice, " a two-volume treatise on Kentucky civil procedure.
Along with David Kramer and David Burleigh, fellow partners in the firm Deters, Benzinger and LaVelle, Mr. Philipps was working on a new edition of the book when he died Thursday, from complications of brain cancer, at age 57.
The Anderson Township, Ohio, resident had handled dozens of high-profile cases for St. Elizabeth Medical Center and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Covington. He specialized in defending child medical malpractice cases involving brain injuries.
"Kurt was a very talented individual and an excellent trial lawyer, " said U.S. District Judge William O. Bertelsman, who co-authored an edition of "Kentucky Practice" with Mr. Philipps. "He was always well-prepared and a strong advocate for his clients."
"Kurt was easily the most knowledgeable lawyer I ever knew in the areas of trial procedure and evidence, " Kramer said.
The managing partner of the firm, Gerald Benzinger, praised him for his compassion in dealing with clients.
"So many clients told me over the years they appreciated not only Kurt's considerable legal skill in handling their cases, but also his consoling, comforting manner and the emotional support he offered them, " Benzinger said.
Mr. Philipps wove together the careers of attorney and minister, said partner Burleigh.
"I know that his adversaries in the courtroom would occasionally refer to him as the preacher lawyer. And they meant that in a respectful way, " Burleigh said.
The San Antonio, Texas, native earned his law degree at Southern Methodist University, where he also earned a master of religious education degree. He served as a Methodist minister and attorney in Dallas, then moved to Northern Kentucky in 1975 to teach law at Northern Kentucky University's Salmon P. Chase College of Law. He left the university in 1978 to enter private practice and joined Deters, Benzinger and LaVelle in 1988.
He was an active member and a Stephen minister at Anderson Hills United Methodist Church in Anderson Township. Stephen ministers provide Christian care to people in crisis or difficulty.
Mr. Philipps also taught for 20 years as an adjunct professor of health care law at Xavier University. He read voraciously, especially the Bible and religious authors such as Henri Nouwen, Thomas Merton, Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Wendell Berry.
He served as a mentor with the Cincinnati Youth Collaborative for seven years. In May, he received the 2003 Child Advocacy Award from the Children's Law Center of Northern Kentucky for his work on behalf of children in Kentucky and Ohio.
"Kurt was the finest human being I have ever known, " said his widow, Marcia. "His love and generosity were boundless."
Mr. Philipps donated one of his kidneys to his stepson, Mark Whited of Anderson Township, for a successful transplant seven years ago.
Other survivors include sons, Judson Philipps of Indian Hill, Gavin Philipps of Charlotte, N.C., Logan Philipps of Columbus, Ohio, and Graydon Philipps of Jacksonville, Fla.; daughter, Amy Parker of Clermont County; a brother, Al Philippus of San Antonio; and his mother, Norrine Trost of San Antonio.
A Celebration of Life service will be at 4 p.m. Tuesday at Anderson Hills United Methodist Church. A reception will follow in the church fellowship hall.
Memorials may be made to the church, the Cincinnati Youth Collaborative Mentoring Program, the Children's Law Center of Northern Kentucky, Hosea House in Newport or Arc of Hamilton County.
T.P. White of Mount Washington is handling arrangements.
Ted J. Austin, 73, of Florence, died Saturday at St. Elizabeth Medical Center South, Edgewood. He was an employee of the Kroger Co. and an Army veteran of the Korean War.
Survivors include his wife, Adene Austin; a daughter, Gaile Hawkins of Cincinnati; a son, Michael Austin of Florence; sisters, Mildred Lowe of Oneida, Tenn., and Jean Driggers of Jessup, Ga.; brothers, Kenneth Austin and Robert Austin, both of Oneida, Tenn., Luther Austin of Knoxville, Tenn., Bill Austin of Dawson Springs, Harold Austin of Florence and Ray Austin of Bardstown; and a grandchild.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Stith Funeral Home, Florence. Visitation will begin there at 9 a.m. Tuesday. Burial will be in Crown Hill Memorial Park, Cincinnati.
James W. Clark, 82, of Cold Spring, died Friday at St. Elizabeth Medical Center South, Edgewood. He was a retired employee of Newport Steel and a member of First Baptist Church of Cold Spring. He was a part-time employee of Art's Rental Equipment, Cold Spring, was a member of the Northern Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame and coached softball and basketball teams at First Baptist Church. He was a World War II veteran.
Survivors include his wife, Mildred Clark; a son, Garry Lee Clark of Mansfield, Ohio, daughters, Carolyn Sue Glahn of Cold Spring, Cynthia Kay Mall of Western Hills, Ohio, and Jennifer Lynn Taylor of Fort Wright; 11 grandchildren, eight step-great-grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, 12 step-great-grandchildren and a step-great-great-grandchild.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at First Baptist Church, Cold Spring. Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the church. Burial will be in First Baptist Church Cemetery, Cold Spring. Memorials are suggested to First Baptist Church Building Fund, 4410 Alexandria Pike, Cold Spring, Ky. 41076.
Ruth A. Cox, 86, of Covington, died Thursday at Woodcrest Manor, Erlanger. She was a homemaker.
Survivors include a brother, Wilbur Pawnall of Tucson, Ariz.
Services will be at the convenience of the family. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, Falmouth. Con Catchen and Son Funeral Home, Covington, is handling arrangements.
Bobby Alan Draper, 56, of Louisville, formerly of Falmouth, died Saturday at Jewish Hospital, Louisville. He was a member of Falmouth Wesleyan Church.
Survivors include nieces, Marguerite Cory of Louisville and Victoria Hegewald of Salt Lake City.
Services will be at 1 p.m. today at Woodhead Funeral Home, Falmouth. Visitation will begin there at 11 a.m. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, Falmouth. Memorials are suggested to Falmouth Wesleyan Church, Falmouth, Ky. 41040.
Margaret Anna Napier Fuller, 59, of Cynthiana, died Sunday at her home. She was an employee of Ken's New Market, Payless Shoe Source and Platters Restaurant, Cynthiana. Her husband, Charles W. Fuller, preceded her in death.
Survivors include sons, Donald Ray Fuller of Harrison County and Ronald Clay Fuller of Nicholasville; daughters, Barbara A. Fryman and Carol Jean Rice, both of Harrison County; her mother, Elizabeth Louise Franklin Napier of Berry; a sister, Thelma Jean Campbell of Cynthiana; and 14 grandchildren.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Drake-Whaley-McCarty Funeral Home, Cynthiana. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Barterville Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Hospice of the Bluegrass, 508 E. Pike St., Cynthiana, Ky. 41031.
Willis Hatton, 78, of Alexandria, died Thursday at his home. He was a retired employee of McLouth Steel Co., Gibraltar, Mich.
Survivors include his wife, Tillie Hatton; a son, Willis Hatton Jr. of Highland Heights; a daughter, Charmaine Smallwood of Alexandria; a sister, Pearl Kaufert of Erie, Pa.; and two grandchildren.
Services were this morning at Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church, Alexandria. Entombment was in St. Stephen Mausoleum, Fort Thomas. Memorials are suggested to Hospice of Northern Kentucky, 1403 Alexandria Pike, Fort Thomas, Ky. 41075; or Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church, Lee's Road, Alexandria, Ky. 41001. Cooper Funeral Home, Grants Lick, is handling arrangements.
Troy Dean Helton, 44, of Elsmere, died Sunday at his home.
Arrangements are pending at Linnemann Funeral Home, Erlanger.
Janice H. Kidwell, 50, of Fort Thomas, died Friday at University Hospital, Cincinnati. She was a bookkeeper with Wilmington Carpets.
Survivors include her husband, Jeffery C. Kidwell Jr.; sons, Mikey Gross of Union and William "Bubba" Gross Jr. of Williamstown; a daughter, Elizabeth Kidwell of Newport; a sister, Joyce Kelly of Erlanger; brothers, Allen Hall of Newport, Fred Hall of Park Hills, Glenn Hall of Nashville, Tenn., Mike Hall of Southgate, Ronnie Hall of Butler and Wayne Hall of Independence; two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Services will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Muehlenkamp-Erschell Funeral Home, Newport. Visitation will begin there at 10 a.m. Tuesday. Burial will be in Floral Hills Cemetery, Taylor Mill. Memorials are suggested to the charity of the donor's choice.
George Henry Perry, 68, of Dayton, died Saturday at St. Luke Hospital East, Fort Thomas.
He was a retired employee of Interlake Steel, Newport. A daughter, Ruth Perry, died in 1993.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Perry; daughters, Karen Johnson of Covington, Edie Horstman of Melbourne and Terri Hall of Dayton; a son, John Perry of Silver Grove; a brother, Delbert Perry of Alexandria; 13 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Cooper Funeral Home, Grants Lick. Visitation will be from 4 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery, Grants Lick.
Marie B. Robinson, 91, of Bellevue, died Friday at St. Luke Hospital East, Fort Thomas. She was a homemaker and a member of Sacred Heart Church, Bellevue. Her husband, Edward Robinson, died in 1973. A son, James Robinson, died in 2001.
Survivors include a daughter, Kathy Hoffstedder of Fort Thomas and Nancy Schadler of Glendale, Ohio; seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Services will be at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at Carmel Manor Chapel, Fort Thomas. Burial will be in St. Stephen Cemetery, Fort Thomas. Memorials are suggested to Carmel Manor Nursing Home, 100 Carmel Manor Road, Fort Thomas, Ky. 41075. A.C. Dobbling and Son Funeral Home, Bellevue, is handling arrangements.
Alice Faye Ashley Sims, 55, of Cynthiana, died Friday at her home. She was a homemaker. A daughter, Marsha Faye Sims, preceded her in death.
Survivors include sons, James W. Dennis Jr. of Berry, Daniel H. Dennis of Cynthiana and Kellar T. Dennis of Richmond; a daughter, Kathy J. Gilligan of Harrison County; sisters, Dorothy Bell of Cynthiana and Vivian Sharp of Falmouth; 11 grandchildren and a great-grandchild.
Memorial services will be at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Cook Family Cemetery, Bourbon County. Ware Funeral Home, Cynthiana, is handling arrangements.
Lucille J. Smith, 89, of Fort Thomas, died Friday at Baptist Convalescent Center, Newport.
She was a homemaker, worked with her husband at Smith's Grocery in Fort Thomas, and was a member of First Baptist Church of Fort Thomas and the Kings and Queens Club of Campbell County. Her husband, Howard L. Smith, died in 1992. A sister, Esther Newport, died earlier this year.
Survivors include a daughter, Mary Lou Keller of Fort Thomas; sons, James Smith of Eureka, Ark., Robert Smith of Grants Lick and Ron Smith of Danville, Calif.; and sisters, Bernice Harris of San Carlos, Calif.; six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at First Baptist Church, Fort Thomas. Visitation will begin there at 9 a.m. Wednesday. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Southgate. Memorials are suggested to First Baptist Church, 600 N. Fort Thomas Ave., Fort Thomas, Ky. 41075; or Baptist Convalescent Center, 120 Main St., Newport, Ky. 41071. A.C. Dobbling and Son Funeral Home, Fort Thomas, is handling arrangements.
Herman C. Sorensen, 89, of Addyston, Ohio, formerly of Newport, died at 6:20 a.m. Sunday at Three Rivers Rehabilitation Center, Newport. He was owner of Sorensen Accounting Bookkeeper Co., Newport, a former Campbell County auditor and executive director of Newport Municipal Housing Authority, and a former manager of Victoria Square Apartments, Newport. He also served as an Alcohol Beverage Control agent with the state of Kentucky and was a member of United Church of Christ in Fort Thomas, Henry Barnes Lodge No. 607 F&AM, Indra Consistory Scottish Rite and the Northern Kentucky Goodwill Board. His wife, Erna Frederiksen Sorensen, died in 1996.
Survivors include a son, Dr. David Sorensen of Billings, Mont.; a daughter, Judith Ferguson of Franklin, Tenn.; seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Muehlenkamp-Erschell Funeral Home, Fort Thomas. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home, with Masonic services at 7:30 p.m. Entombment will be in Floral Hills Mausoleum, Taylor Mill.
Jill Feagan Stephenson, 67, of Piedmont, S.C., formerly of Boone County, died Friday at Greenville, S.C., Memorial Hospital. She was a volunteer with the Greenville YWCA, VISTA, the Greenville Literary Association, Arthritis Foundation and Senior Action. Her husband, Donald L. Stephenson, preceded her in death.
Survivors include daughters, Rhonda Elam of Mooresville, N.C., and Polly Stephenson of Canton, Ga.; sisters, Judith O'Mara of Mauldin, S.C., Joy Mulligan of Georgetown, Janelle Thompson of Chillicothe, Jaynee Owen of Burlington and Janice Himmelsbach of Watkinsville, Ga.; brothers, Jerry Feagan of Dry Ridge and J.R. Feagan of Verona; and two grandchildren.
Memorial services will be at the convenience of the family. Memorials are suggested to Senior Action, 402 E. McBee Ave., Greenville, S.C. 29601. Robinson Funeral Home, Easley, S.C., is handling arrangements.
Anne Marquerite "Margie" Tucker, 75, of Burlington, died Saturday at St. Luke Hospital West, Florence. She was an assistant credit manager with Montgomery Ward, Lexington, and a member of Burlington Baptist Church.
Survivors include her husband, Raymond H. Tucker; a daughter, Connie Williams of Pershing, Ind.; brothers, Charles Starks of Texas and Thomas Starks of Glencoe; sisters, Edith Mae Riddle of Lexington and Carlos Goudy of Akron, Ohio; two grandchildren and a great-grandchild.
Services will be at 3 p.m. Tuesday at Linnemann Funeral Home, Burlington. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 tonight at the funeral home. Burial will be in Burlington Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Burlington Baptist Church, 3031 Washington St., Burlington, Ky. 41005.
