DIRKS, Philip H.

Today's News-Herald, Lake Havasu City, Arizona Published Wednesday, September 23, 2009 Philip H. Dirks passed away peacefully in his home Sept. 22, 2009. He was born on the family farm on May 16, l92l, to Bernhard and Pearl (Bernhardt) Dirks in Montague, Mass. Phil and his wife, Edith, moved to Lake Havasu City in 1989 from Santa Cruz, Calif. Phil retired from the State of California, Department of Transportation in 1985. His previous employments were the University of California-Berkeley, where he was Engineering Assistant on the Waves Engineering Project; a licensed real estate broker with his own business in San Jose, Calif.; a ranch hand in Usal, Calif.; a licensed pilot, and a licensed commercial fisherman, owning his own boat. He was a World War II veteran serving the Coast Guard, primarily in the South Pacific arena. He leaves behind his wife of 56 years, Edith (Boerner); sons, Carl, of Kent, Wash., and Paul, of Santa Cruz, Calif.; a daughter, Pamela, of Union City, Calif.; a brother, Stephen, of Waterford, Wis.; eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews and many friends that he made throughout his 88 years of life. Two sisters and one brother preceded him in death. Phil was a life member of the Havasu Gold Seekers, the Lost Dutchman’s Mining Association, and the Cousteau Society. His fondness for outdoor activities were metal detecting, camping, fishing, gardening, and building rock walls. He also fabricated his unique style of jewelry under the trade name of G.G. Phil’s. No services will be held at this time. A family service of Life will be held in October at the gravesite in Lafayette, Calif. Donations in Phil’s name can be made to Hospice of Havasu, P.O. Box 597, Lake Havasu City, AZ 86405. Thoughts and condolences may be submitted to the family at www.lietz-frazefuneralhome.com. Arrangements were placed in the care of Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home and Crematory.