MCELFRESH, Philip S. (Phil)

Arizona Daily Sun, Flagstaff, Arizona, Sunday, November 17, 2013 Philip S. (Phil) McElfresh, 55, a resident of Flagstaff and Scottsdale, Western Regional Manager for Dentsply International and an avid outdoorsman, was where he wanted to be, doing what he loved to do, when he died of natural causes while mountain biking with friends in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve on Sunday afternoon, Nov. 10, 2013. Phil was born March 28, 1958, in Akron, OH, a blond-headed toddler with a big smile for everyone he saw, a characteristic that remained as he matured into an optimistic, persistent and goal-oriented man. His family moved to Arizona in 1962 and he grew up in Scottsdale, graduating from Scottsdale High School in 1976. He attended Scottsdale Community College before enrolling at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff. He met the love of his life, Lori Lee Peterson, at the Flagstaff church that they attended. They were married April 8, 1979, and later became parents of daughter Erin Lee McElfresh. Phil lived every day to the fullest, living in and for the moment. He was the friend/neighbor/co-worker/acquaintance who was always ready to help. If he saw a neighbor’s car parked with a flat tire, he would offer to help fix it. He would assist anyone he saw in need, always with encouraging words. He remained involved with early-age friends, and last year was one of the principal organizers for a reunion of the Navajo Elementary School Class of 1972. Phil never met a stranger, just someone new to get to know. He was genuinely interested in everyone he met, socially or in business. He always looked each person in the eyes, listening to what that person was saying, and responding to that, not just waiting for his turn to talk. He was a genius at networking, and not just for personal gain, but to help others connect. Phil made friends wherever he went. Phil had a strong work ethic that began in high school, when he worked as a bagger at a Safeway store in Scottsdale, where he became a shelf-stocker and then a cashier, saving money to buy his first loves, Jimi Hendrix albums and a 1968 SS Camaro that he had custom-painted midnight-blue with white racing stripes. While in college, he worked part-time at an auto-supply store. From a young age, Phil enjoyed being outdoors in Arizona and the Southwest, hiking and backpacking and fishing with his father, mother and siblings, and more recently playing golf. He also loved singing and playing the guitar, especially with his daughter and his nephew, and he often wrote and sang clever impromptu songs. Phil was active in the Arizona dental community for 15 years. In 2011, he became Western Regional Sales Manager for Dentsply International, supervising sales teams in six states. In 2009-2010, he was the marketing consultant for Dr. Todd F. Jorgenson, DMD, of Mesa, and previously he was co-owner of Dental Works Laboratory in Phoenix, coordinating sales, marketing and promotional activities. From 2004-2007, he was Rocky Mountain District Sales Manager and then Regional Sales Manager for Astra Tech Dental Implants, and from 1998-2003 was Western Territory manager for Straumann USA. Phil’s first post-college position was in Flagstaff from 1992-98 as a sales representative for implantable medical devices created by W.L. Gore & Associates Inc. His primary customer base was in hospitals and surgical centers, and he spent many days observing surgeries, as well as calling on physicians and surgeons. In addition to his wife and daughter, Phil is survived by his mother, Patricia S. Myers, and father, Gerald R. McElfresh (wife Robin McElfresh) of Scottsdale; brother Stephen D. McElfresh (wife ValerieMcElfresh ) of Whidbey Island, WA; sister Suzanne C. McElfresh (husband Alan Light, son Adam Light) of New York City, NY; mother-in-law, Leila Brooks (husband Jerry Brooks) and father-in-law, Ron Peterson, all of Flagstaff; brothers-in-law Tim Peterson of Bentonville, AR, and Eric Peterson of Flagstaff, and their families; and cousins Kevin McAlonan of Phoenix, Janet Parker of Willamsburg, VA, David McAlonan of Antioch, IL and their families. A memorial fund in the name of Philip S. McElfresh has been established at the Coconino Federal Credit Union, Account # 40966, for contributions toward his daughter’s continuing education in the medical field. A religious service will be led by Pastor Jim Burnett at noon Saturday, Nov. 23, at Northland Christian Assembly, 1715 W. University Ave., Flagstaff, AZ 86001, followed by a reception. A Celebration of Life reception, organized by Phil’s colleagues/friends in the Arizona dental community and hosted by his family, will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 24, at the Boojum Tree Hidden Gardens Center, 16026 N. 36th St., Phoenix, AZ 85032 (602-867-8975). This obituary was prepared by the Advertising Department (928) 556-2279.