My wife Ruby and I were happy to have known and been friends with Phil a little over 10 years, since about 2010, in association with his leadership of the prostate cancer community. I was pleased to have succeeded him in the Hawaii Prostate Cancer Coalition in 2010, attended several Prostate Cancer Research Institute (PCRI) conferences on the mainland, and nominated him for the Harry Pinchot Award in 2013. Without a doubt he was not only a leader in what he believed in, a wide ranging leader in numerous endeavors, including the Peace Corps, the Honolulu Marathon, and as a pilot in the Civil Air Patrol, but also as a warm, caring individual. Although not one of us is destined to live an eternity, we were very saddened on learning of his passing at age 90.
Coincidentally, we were friends with his first cousin, B. David Swenson who also lived in Hawaii but passed away in 2006. Phil truly lived a fulfilling life among his friends and community and our condolences to his relatives in the U.S., and in Norway and his executive assistant Melissa Totherow. May he rest in peace, joining his beloved wife, Gail.
Aloha, Phil. Paul and Ruby Mizue