Dr. Philip Boardman Peters, 83, of Lexington, Virginia passed away on Wednesday, February 13, 2019 at Kendal of Lexington.
Philip was predeceased by his parents, Carl Edgar and Betty Effinger Peters, and by his sister, Nancy Peters Sherry.
Philip is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Sharon Kidwell Peters of Lexington, and their three children, David Peters, Michael Peters, and Erika Brooke. He is also survived by his oldest children, Elizabeth Alford and Troy Tarbox. Philip was "Poppa P" to 17 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren: Julia, Jordan, Spencer, and Cole of David and Meg Peters; Hannah, Elizabeth, Kathryn, Luke, and Joshua of Michael and Michelle Peters; Elise, Emma, John, and Philip of Erika andMerce Brooke; Connie and Chris of Elizabeth and Jim Alford; David and Sarah of Troy Tarbox; and Annalise, Chloe, and Jaime, grandchildren of Elizabeth and Jim Alford.
Philip was born in Baltimore, MD., on May 17, 1935. He graduated from Towson High School and began his Rat year at Virginia Military Institute in 1953. Philip graduated from VMI in 1957 with a bachelor of science degree in physics and became an instructor in the VMI physics department. After leaving for a tour of active duty with the U.S. Army, he went to work as an electronics engineer with the Bendix Aviation Corporation in Maryland.
He returned to VMI as an instructor in physics in 1960. He earned his doctorate in physics from his beloved University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1968. For over 42 years, Philip devoted himself to the physics and astronomy department at VMI.
A 1991 recipient of VMI's Distinguished Teaching Award, he served two separate five-year terms as department head and has either served on or been chairman of numerous committees including Academic Board, Academic Policy, Institute Awards, and Individual Privilege committees.
In addition to his VMI and departmental duties, Philip coached the VMI golf team. He and his wife, Sharon, were also active performers in VMI Theatre productions, even taking the stage with their pet pig, Rooty Mae! The legacy that Philip leaves at VMI is not only exemplified by the impact he had on his cadets and colleagues, but also by the influence he had on his family – his sons, David and Michael, are both VMI graduates, his son-in-law, Merce Brooke, is also an alumnus and currently a VMI physics professor, and his grandson, Spencer Peters, is currently a third classman at VMI.
Because of his compassionate heart to serve others, Philip was very active in the Lexington community. He volunteered with the Lexington Boys Club, United Way, Rockbridge Jaycees, New Vision Prison Outreach, Gladys House homeless shelter, the Rockbridge Christmas Basket Program, Habitat for Humanity, Meals for Shut-ins, and Angel Tree Prison Ministries. When Philip and Sharon moved to Kendal in 2010, Philip was involved in various committees and activities that Kendal provided.
A man of great faith in Jesus Christ, Philip was very active in the life and worship of R.E. Lee Memorial Episcopal Church and Grace Presbyterian Church. Since 1981, he actively participated in the Cursillo ministry.
A devoted husband, father, and Poppa P, Philip will be remembered for having a unique sense of humor and for his passion for life. He loved playing sports, especially golf and handball, and he loved cheering for his favorite teams – the UNC Tarheels, the Baltimore Orioles and Ravens, and of course, the VMI Keydets.
The family would like to thank the staff at Webster Assisted Living, the staff at the Borden Center at Kendal, and the caregivers at Rockbridge Area Hospice.
The funeral was held at Grace Episcopal Church on Monday, February 18, and the reception was held at the Anderson Center at Kendal of Lexington.
Arrangements were made by Harrison Funeral Home & Crematory. Memorial donations may be made to the VMI Physics Department, Rockbridge Area Hospice, or Grace Episcopal Church.
Arrangements were by Harrison Funeral Home & Crematory.
