558 N. Main St., Prineville, OR 97754 | (541) 447-6205
Phillip Wick was born on July 29, 1944 in Puyallup, Washington to Lester and Elvina Wick. He passed away to our maker on August 17, 2010, of natural causes.
Phil was raised in Central Oregon and went to elementary school in Alfalfa. He graduated from the 8th grade with two other classmates. At Redmond High School he continued to excel at sports as a member of the football, basketball and track teams. He went on to play football at Eastern Oregon University and continued his studies at Central Oregon Community College.
Phil met the love of his life, Lesley, and married her in 1965. Together they raised a family and were blessed with a son, Jeff and a daughter, Heather.
Phil began his career at the age of 21 in Bend, Ore. When Phil started with the Les Schwab Company there were only 7 stores. Now there are over 400 stores in 8 states. He became the youngest store manager in Les Schwab history at age 24 in Walla Walla, Wash. From there he worked his way up into numerous management positions before Les brought him to the main office in 1980. Phil became president in 1983 and with Les and Phil at the helm the years were prosperous and memorable. Phil had the opportunity to work side by side Les Schwab for over 23 years in which, Les, treated him as a son. Phil and Les found common ground in their personalities as they worked with people and strove to create a business model that catered to customer service. They implemented programs to help their fellow employees and made numerous generous contributions to the communities they worked in all over the Northwest.
Phil was an avid hunter and fisherman. He enjoyed hunting and fishing with his grandsons in particular and had many opportunities to do the same with friends. During the summer months he enjoyed golfing every week.
Since retiring in January of 2009, he was able to accomplish much traveling with his wife and close friends. They traveled to numerous places and enjoyed seeing the world.
Phil is survived by his wife, Lesley of Redmond, son Jeff and wife Dori of Meridian, Idaho, and daughter Heather and husband Jeremy Neet of Bend. He is also survived by 5 grandchildren, Josh, Jordan, and Justin Wick of Meridian, Idaho, and Wyatt and Allie Neet of Bend, Ore., brothers, Lee and wife Ruth of Redmond, Ore. and Don and wife Nancy of Bend, Ore., as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Phil was preceded in death by his father and mother. He touched many lives in his sixty-six years of life. He will be loved and missed by many, but never forgotten.
There was a public memorial service to celebrate Phil's life on Sunday August 29th, at 2 p.m. at the River House Convention Center in Bend, Ore.
Memorial contributions have been suggested to the Phil Wick Memorial Fund at Grace first Lutheran Church 2265 NW Shevlin Park Road, Bend OR 97701
Please visit www.niswonger-reynolds.com to sign Phil's guest book.
Niswonger-Reynolds Funeral Home is serving the Family, Bend, Ore.
