Phillip E. Perdue, 58, was born in Rochester, Indiana, to Linda Nix Perdue and James Perdue, and died June 16, 2017, in Norfolk, VA. He is survived by his wife Melissa Lee Perdue, mother Linda, sister Kari Perdue Blackley, nieces Tia and Carmen Blackley, step-sister Sonya Hudson, step-mothers Joan Perdue and Suzannah Walker, mother-in-law Margaret Lee, sister-in-law Karen Lee, and a host of aunts, uncles and cousins, as well as beloved canines Etta and Arlo. Phillip was a graduate of Delphi (IN) Community High School, earned a baccalaureate degree from Indiana University, and a Master of Business Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University. He began his career in fundraising with the March of Dimes, leading the walk-a-thon in Sacramento, CA. Within a few years, he had advanced to managing walk-a-thons for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in more than 300 cities across the country. Later he served in a number of development roles at Virginia Commonwealth University, as Associate and then Interim Vice President for College Advancement at Virginia Wesleyan College, Senior Development Officer for Bon Secours Hampton Roads Foundation, and finally as Chief Development Officer for WHRO Public Media in Norfolk. Phillip is the author of May I Cultivate You?, a light-hearted look at the humor, irony, and folly found in a career in fundraising, published in 2014. In 2015, he was named Outstanding Fundraising Professional by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Hampton Roads Chapter. Phillip delivered a daily email he called “Musical Upgrade,” to friends, family, colleagues, and friends of friends over the last several years. In it he shared his love of music through photos and notes about songs he found historically, musically, or toe-tappingly significant or entertaining. For many of his “fans,” Musical Upgrade became the signal that the day had begun. Memorial contributions can be made in Phillip’s honor to WHRO, the ACLU, or Planned Parenthood. A memorial service will be held Tuesday, June 27, at 2:00 p.m., at WHRO, 5200 Hampton Boulevard, Norfolk.