July 20, 1931 - Sept. 22, 2009
Philip Wesley Storby, age 78, of St. Paul Park, died on Tuesday afternoon September 22, 2009, at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago.
Phil's deep love and passion for music touched all who knew him. He composed a melody based on his tremendous faith in Christ. He harmonized these notes with his endearing sense of humor, compassion and generosity and dedicated them to his precious family and friends. These themes were written throughout his life in missionary and teaching work, his postal career and especially as he performed with and directed the post office bands. The music of our world has been ever enhanced by Philip Storby's symphony.
Philip Wesley Storby was born July 20, 1931, in Winnebago County, Iowa to Clifford and Alphia (Ingebritson) Storby. He was raised in Lake Mills, Iowa and graduated from Lake Mills High School in 1949. He graduated from Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato, Minnesota and began his teaching career in Parkland, Washington. He accepted a call to serve as a missionary at Apache Lutheran Mission at East Fork, Arizona, where he met Dorothy Behnke (Dot), a fellow missionary. On June 12, 1955, Phil married Dot in Brillion, Wisconsin. They both continued their missionary work until 1962, when Phil was called to teach at St. Croix Lutheran High School in South St. Paul, Minnesota. In 1971, Phil retired from teaching and began a full-time postal carrier job until he retired in 1997. Throughout his life, Phil praised God with his musical talents — singing, teaching music, playing many instruments and directing bands. His lively card games with friends and family, tending to Dot's gardens, and traveling were some of his other favorite pastimes, especially during his retirement.
His loving family includes his children Steven (Patricia), Ruth (Geoff) Bergeron, Beverly (Perry) Abel, and Barbara (Steven) Johnson; grandchildren Stefanie, Joel, Jennie, Faith, Bethany, Aaron, Rachelle and Rami; great-grandchildren Adam, Samuel, William, Luke and Isaiah; bothers Allen (Linda) and Gene (Suzie); sister Louise (Milo) Lien; sisters and brothers-in-law Marie Hinkley, Mildred Behnke, Donald (Elaine) Behnke, Harvey (Heidi) Behnke and many nieces and nephews.
Phil was preceded in death by his loving wife, Dot; parents Clifford and Alphia; niece Jamie Lien.
A memorial service was held Sunday, September 27, at St. Andrew's Lutheran Church, St. Paul Park, with arrangements handled by Kok Funeral Home.
The family requested memorials, in lieu of flowers, to Christ the Lord Lutheran Church – Philip Storby Memorial Fund.
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