Robert George Phillips

Robert George Phillips, 77, of Carmel passed away January 14, 2024 after a brief but valiant battle with cancer.  He was born April 7, 1946, in Indianapolis, the son of the late George Andrew and Nellie J. (Goll) Phillips.  He married Stephanie Maher on June 4, 1994.

Bob graduated from North Central High School and has fond memories of his time there.  He was known for his art and musical talent, as well as the industrial arts.   He played trumpet in the school bands and many musicals as well as playing lead guitar in the band “The Uncalled For”.  He was an avid “car guy”, fixing up cars and racing them on the weekends. 

After graduation, Bob spent a year at Ball State University, then transferred to the Herron School of Art and Design in Indianapolis. His creative talent led him to form his own advertising, marketing, and printing company, Image Graphics, in Broadripple, Indiana, at the age of 22.  This company evolved into Phillips and Associates, a leading advertising, marketing, and web design company in Indianapolis, which he managed until his death. Bob was involved with a number of professional organizations, including BNI, in which he held many leadership positions.

Bob always took the time to be very involved in his daughters’ activities, coaching soccer, T-ball, and baseball. He was a Parent Band Booster during their years at Lawrence Central High School and designed the logo for the Marching Band.   He also became involved in the leadership of the Y-Indian Princess father-daughter program at the Jordan YMCA, combining the program with their concurrent father-son program. His daughters never doubted his love for them and have many fond memories of camping, canoeing, and caving adventures, and especially the “Indy Un-500”, a Pinewood Derby-type race that Bob was instrumental in running yearly.  

Bob was a man of many and varied interests and hobbies. He enjoyed home improvement projects and was a talented “handyman”.    He painted vivid watercolors of architecture and scenery; the walls of his home proudly display many of his works. He was also an avid golfer, playing in several leagues with family and friends. Bob greatly enjoyed traveling the US and Europe with his wife Stephanie, particularly touring Ireland and Italy and cruising the Rhine and to Alaska.   However, his most favorite hobby was fishing and spending time with his extended family on vacations to Bass Lake in Pentwater, MI.  Bob’s family traveled to the same resort from the time he was 12 years old, and it became a second home to him. Throughout each year he took as many fishing trips with family and friends as his schedule allowed as well as the highlight of the year, a two week family vacation in August.

Four years ago, Bob and Stephanie moved to Waterford in Carmel. Bob became very active in his new neighborhood, serving on the HOA Board of Directors and the Landscape Committee, enjoyed socializing at Tuesdays in the Park plus provided leadership in numerous other projects.

Bob was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle who will be forever missed. He is survived by his loving wife of 29 years, Stephanie Phillips; two daughters, Kimberly (Rob) Rhykerd and Tamara (Donald) Buchanan; four grandchildren, John, Joe, and Jessie Rhykerd, and Frankie Buchanan; four siblings, Deborah (Harold) Tyner, Thomas (Lisa) Phillips, Judith (Janet) Phillips-Gurney, and Timothy Phillips; four nephews, Jason (Sharon) Tyner, Matthew (Beth) Tyner, Chad Tyner, and Justin (Sarah) Tyner; and niece, Catherine Phillips-Gurney.

Please join us in Celebrating his Life on Saturday, March 9, 2024, at Iron & Ember, Brookshire Golf Club, Carmel, 4:00-6:30 pm, with remarks at 5:00 pm. Memorial contributions may be directed to the American Cancer Society or a charity of the donor’s choice.  Online condolences may be shared by visiting www.flannerbuchanan.com.