Tribute to Bruce Phillips

We lost our paddling buddy, Bruce Phillips in May, 2024. Members of the Delaware Valley Chapter of the Wooden Boat Heritage Association have many fond memories of our friend, and we would like to share them here.

Memories of Bruce:

From Jean B: The chapter trip several years ago included a long/steep drop on a
river in Northern PA. I had been paddling solo for the day and we took the run one boat
at a time just in case. There was a tree sticking out a bit into the flow near the end of
the run and all of us had a tough time there as the water was pushing us into the area
where the tree was. I managed to narrowly escape it by doing a cross-bow draw, and
once past the tree I heard a great whoop from up above. Bruce was doing a dance for
me with a big smile and thumbs up!

From Mike L: Mike sent some images of Bruce happy and relaxed on our November
2023 Splitrock reservoir paddle, our last group paddle of the season. We had a lovely
day with a nice long picnic on the island but as we packed up and departed the island it
seems Bruce paddle the wrong way and got separated from the rest of us. We all got
back to the put in and loaded our boats and gear but Bruce had not returned to the put
in, most folks left but my friend andrea and I went back down to the launch to see
Bruce a ways off but headed in, when he arrived he was visibly tired from the long solo
paddle so we helped unload his gear and pull his boat out. I went back to my car for
my wheely and Andrea who had never met Bruce before was chatting it up when I
returned. We loaded his boat and rolled it up to his truck and put it up for him and for
the next hour he told us stories about camping trips and adventures he had had over
the years. Andrea said she needed to go so we said our goodbyes and I asked Bruce if
he needed a place to stay and would he like to come over for dinner knowing in
advance what his answer would be but I know he appreciated the offer. I wished him a
safe trip. It’s the last time I saw Bruce but what a nice way to remember him.

From Jen H: Jen sent a picture of Bruce at a lunch spot, and commented that she
loved all he brought to do lunch!!

From Jim C: I only met Bruce once, when he came to Cornwall for our weekend
gathering, so I don’t have much to add to his memorial. He was a nice guy and I would
have liked to have known him better but that was not to be, unfortunately.