Phillip Landis Stitzer

Phillip L. Stitzer, 63, of Darlington died Monday, January 04, 2010. Mr. Stitzer was born in Utica, New York. He was the son of the late Donald J. and Doris L. Stitzer. He served in the United States Air Force where he was a flight instructor. He moved to Darlington in 1993 as the Plant Manager for M.S.D. He later became the owner and operator of Palmetto Plumbing and Pipe in Darlington. He was also the past President and member of the Darlington Kiwanis Club. Survivors include his wife, Valerie G. Stitzer of the home; two daughters, Jennifer (Tony) Hedrick of Columbia and Katie (Jim) Gardinier of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, two grandchildren, Victoria Hedrick and Phillip Hedrick and brother Ted of Parkland, Florida. Funeral services were private. Memorials are suggested to The ALS Foundation, PO Box 96, Natick, MA 01760. Family and friends are invited to sign the online register book at www.kistlerhardeefuneralhome.com.

Although I hadn't been in touch with him for the last 40 years or so, we were roomates 2 semesters and did a lot of socializing together for the 2 years we were Tough Twenty Trolls in 20th Squadron. I felt I knew and liked him well in the time we spent together. He was a fun guy to be around. We double dated many times and I got to meet his wife to be, Valerie. He played wonderful piano and entertained Valerie and her friends many times. I'll never forget the day he let me borrow his new Jaguar XKE and take it for a spin on the interstate. What a thrill! In our second class year when we not supposed to be watching T.V. at night, there were 2 shows we had seen at home that we didn't want to miss while we at the Academy, Star Trek and The Dean Martin Show. We would prowl around looking for a squadron, Group, or even the Wing TV Room where either no one was, or where we could blend in like visiting "Firsties" to watch the shows at night. Needless to say neither one of us were in the high GPA category, but we sure had fun. Phil could dance up a storm, and I could, too. We sometimes would embarrass our dates by doing a synchronized routine while dancing with them. He had a smile that could charm anyone and used it freely. After graduation, we lost touch, but I followed his career through the Register of Graduates. He had a varied career. In the Air Force he became a good pilot becoming a flight instructor. He got into manufacturing and rose to the position of plant manager. Subsequent to that he started his own plumbing business that he was running when the rare but deadly disease of ALS took him. I only wish I had tried harder to get in touch with him to re-live some of those great times we had. Instead, all I can do is wish God's blessings on Valerie and the rest of his family. (Dave Helgevold,'68)