Phillip Lindsey Cole

Phillip L Cole, beloved husband of 67 years to Mildred, and loving father to daughter Karen, son Jeffery and his wife Susan, and grandfather to Amy and Tony, left this world on December 16th, 2010, but will be forever with All he’s touched during his stay on Earth. Born on May 30, 1922 in Casper, Wyoming, he attended primary and secondary schools in Wyoming, Washington, Oregon and California. At Multnomah College, he met and shortly thereafter married Mildred Parkinson in 1944, and then entered the service and served as an engineer officer in an infantry division of Patton’s 3rd Army during the sweep across France and Germany in WWII. Returning from the War, he finished his education in 1947 with a BS degree in Civil Engineering from Oregon State University. Joining the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at the beginning of the big development of the Columbia River Basin, Phil served in many interesting and challenging assignments, including engineer-in-charge of three major dams in Oregon as well as Resident Engineer in charge of construction of Libby Dam in Montana, his favorite project of all. He finished his illustrious Corps career as Chief, Engineering Division, for the North Pacific Division, covering the states of Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and parts of Montana. His family was immensely proud of the many citations and awards he received during his service, including the Decoration for Meritorious Civilian Service, and the Decoration for Exceptional Civilian Service, the highest given to civilians in the Department of the Army. Phil was a charter member of the Senior Executive Service of the Untied States. Phil retired from the Corps in 1980 and joined CH2M Hill providing valuable assistance in water resource development. He retired again in 1987, did consulting work, and decided to become a man of complete leisure on the shores of Idaho’s Lake Pend Oreille to enjoy his favorite sport, downhill skiing, as well as hunting, fishing, boating, water sports and many other outdoor activities. Phil and Millie were known throughout the area as an engaging and fun couple, always opening their home and hearts to friends and family. Phil was a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, the American Society of Military Engineers, and both the U.S. and International Committees on Large Dams. He was a Rotarian, a member of the Elks, and a life member of the Masonic Lodge and Scottish Rite. Phil was inducted into the Oregon State University Hall of Fame in February of 2005. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made in his honor to the School of Engineering at Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon. Military honors will be held in Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, Oregon on Wednesday, December 22, 2010.