Tim Phillips, 53, passed away on August 30, 2017. Born in Delphi, IN, Tim was a graduate of Wabash College in Indiana, which included a year of graduate study in Oxford, and later a Master's degree in Urban Planning from Ball State. Prior to graduate school however, he began his career with a stint as a flight attendant In New York where his gregarious personality was put to good use. After his Master's, he worked in Economic Development for cities in Indiana. Moving on to Chicago, Tim found himself in the field of Fundraising for, among other organizations, Lyric Opera and multiple universities in Chicago. Although Chicago was the home of some of his happiest times, in an effort to move West, Tim continued his fundraising career in various jobs as he headed to Phoenix, and Riverside, CA, before settling in Long Beach in 2008. Throughout his career, whether he was in the air, bringing business to Indiana, or fundraising, Tim very appropriately chose jobs in which he could utilize his excellent people skills. Possessor of a keen and curious mind, Tim was known for his remarkable ability to synthesize and retain information (if only he had tried out for Jeopardy!). He often amazed his friends in conversation with his capacity for recalling details of anything he experienced or read. He was also an avid cyclist, having completed several AIDS rides in the Midwest and later riding for charity in California in addition to being a Masters swimmer. Tim is survived by his husband Jay Axup in Long Beach, parents Lloyd and Marcia of Lafayette, IN, and brothers Matthew and Andrew and their families in the Midwest. A celebration of life will be held later this year.

Published in the Los Angeles Times from Sept. 8 to Sept. 10, 2017