Philip “Phil” Gerard Deeken

Philip “Phil” Gerard Deeken departed this life in Oregon on December 30th, 2024, at the age of 67. Phil was born to Fred and Marilyn (Carroll) February 26th, 1957. He enjoyed growing up in Milwaukee with siblings Mike (Hanneke), Barb (Fritz) Finzen, Ed (Mary), Sharon and John (Karin Walser). 

He married Delia “Deede” Mooney on June 16th, 1979, at St Margaret Mary Catholic church. They raised three children, Jessica Jean (1980), James Patrick (1982), and Christopher Philip (1985-2009).

Phil joined the Navy's Submarine Service and trained at the elite Nuclear Power School before serving on the USS Sculpin SSN-590. Following the Navy, he enjoyed a career including the Dept of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory in Chicago, and Facilities Manager for Kohl’s Department Stores in Brookfield, WI during nationwide growth.

Phil loved coaching his sons in Little League for many years, and as President led the development of the league’s cherished Mitchell Park concessions and field lights. Phil was extraordinarily generous with his time, happiest taking on countless remodeling and carpentry projects for his family. He was also an avid historian, spending countless nights reading and recounting all variety of stories. His love of history extended to family history, travelling Europe with siblings, and memorializing stories and journeys of the past.

In retirement, he traveled extensively with wife Deede, from Rome to the Pyramids, with highlights including New Zealand and witnessing the Great Migration over the Serengeti. Phil completed his education in retirement with a Bachelor of Arts in History and an MBA, both at the University of WI, Milwaukee. 

Phil will be remembered by all who knew him for his generous spirit, clever intellect and his endless energy, especially with his grandchildren Alexandra (2013) Natalie (2017), Brayden (2020) and Avery (2022).

While Doctors said Phil died of heart failure, those who knew him know his big heart lives on.