Philip John Kohlbrenner

Nov. 17, 1931 - Feb. 22, 2020

Piseco - Philip J. Kohlbrenner of Piseco, NY passed away on February 22, 2020. He was born on November 17, 1931 in South Bend, Indiana. Phililp was the son of Bernard and Elizabeth Kohlbrenner.

Phil spent periods of his childhood in St. Louis, New Rochelle, NY, Boston area, and South Bend, Indiana. He attended the University of Notre Dame, where his father headed the Education Department, graduated from Purdue University, and earned a doctorate in organic chemistry from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, in Syracuse New York. Phil married Ann E. (Nancy) Cahoon on August 31, 1957. He had a long career in the pharmacuetical industry, largely with American Cyanamid (Lederle Laboratories, Pearl River, NY). He held positions in synthetic chemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, and international regulatory affairs, the latter of which entailed extensive travel around the world, including many trips to Japan. Phil was a 30+-year resident of Pearl River, NY and served on the Pearl River School Board for a number of years.

Phil was an active outdoorsman in his youth, vacationing with his family at Star Lake, NY, canoeing the lakes and rivers of the Adirondack Mountains, and backpacking in the High Peaks. Some of his children's fondest memories are of multi-week family camping trips to the Pacific Northwest, Rocky Mountains, and US Southwest, where they visited and camped in more than 20 National Parks and Monuments. Phil and Nancy retired in the southern Adirondacks, where Phil was a full-time resident of Piseco, NY for many years. He was an active member of the community, knew every restaurant within an hour's radius, and volunteered for the Board of Elections in recent years.

Phil is survived by his children, Michael (Yolanda), Matthew (Debbie), Linda (Lou), Andrew (Kelly), and Elizabeth Ann (Sam). He was predeceased by his parents, his wife, Nancy, and his daughter, Kathleen. Phil is also survived by 17 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.

Phil was known to be a gentleman and a scholar. He was a white collar academic with blue collar traits, often tinkering with household, outdoor, car, and boat motor projects. He was well known to be a generous and diplomatic soul. He will be missed by his family and beloved Piseco community.

A memorial service is planned for the Summer of 2020 in Piseco, NY. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Piseco Ambulance Corp, Piseco, NY 12139.

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