Philip Ross Neuhaus
February 25, 1919 – April 23, 2013
Our father, Philip Ross Neuhaus, embraced life to the fullest. He cherished his family and friends as well as the relationships he built in the community through his work in the investment industry where he was so well respected.
Dad recognized that simple pleasures were the greatest ones. He loved the outdoors—fishing, hunting and playing sports with people of all ages. At 93, he still delighted in playing card games with small children, winning a quarter from a good friend at golf and laughing until he cried over jokes that tickled him.
From his service in the U.S. Army during World War II, when the survival of his troop depended on his work, Dad gained a sense of responsibility for taking care of others. He was determined to give back in appreciation for the life he relished and felt so blessed to enjoy.
In August of 1944, our Dad was with the U.S. Army in Burma, when our brother Philip Ross Neuhaus, Jr. was born in a breech position with the umbilical cord wrapped around his neck. Two years later, our parents learned that the extended lack of oxygen during delivery had left their son permanently disabled. The true depth of Dad's capacity for caring was seen in the way he opened his heart to Philip, doting on him and including him in all of our family activities with unfailing patience and tenderness.
Dad also loved Houston and was committed to this community, serving on the boards of the Salvation Army and the Julia C. Hester House. Because of his high regard for James "Jim" Abercrombie, he joined the Texas Children's Hospital board, and his service spanned 40 years. "Texas Children's is a marvelous force for good in Houston," Dad often said.
Texas Children's was, in our father's opinion, the best pediatric hospital in the world, and he was deeply committed to it. Raising nine children between him and his wife of 40 years, Barbara Haden Neuhaus, he understood its importance not only as a board member, but also as a parent. Every step of the hospital's progress excited him, and he was proud of its standard of excellence. He was especially touched and gratified when the hospital could help a family he knew.
It was a great privilege for him to work with the late physician-in-chief Dr. Ralph Feigin, who came to the hospital in the late 1970s, and with President and CEO Mark Wallace when he came to Texas Children's in the 80s. Dad considered them both "miracle workers."
"Phil was a cherished member of the Texas Children's family and Board of Trustees for 40 years," said Mr. Wallace. "He was present during each milestone the hospital achieved and provided his knowledge and expertise to propel the hospital forward. His commitment to the mission never wavered. But more important than his role as a board member was his role as a friend."
When Dad had the chance to help nurture a wonderful children's hospital, it became his mission, and it was very important to him to leave a bequest to Texas Children's. Our family is directing some of these funds—along with generous contributions given in his memory—toward the purchase of an infant cooling unit, which will give babies in the neonatal intensive care unit a better chance at surviving a difficult birth without an injury like the one our brother had.
We know Dad would be proud to see the rewards from his life's work continuing to help Texas Children's Hospital provide the best care for babies in our community.
—Lacey Neuhaus Dorn
Betts Neuhaus Armstrong
Joan Neuhaus Schaan
