The world has become a little darker with the loss of a very good friend to many people and his admiring clients with the death of Philip Michael Marsh aged 74 on Wednesday March 10th 2021. Philip passed away at Cox South Hospital as a result of complications from pneumonia and multiple sclerosis.  His former wife Susan was at his bedside when he passed.  Philip and Susan had met in 1985 and were good friends despite their having been divorced for sometime.  He had been in declining health for over a year and was admitted to the hospital for approximately a week. Philip had been diagnosed with M.S. in 1982 and fought the disease valiantly for almost 40 years.  Philip is survived by his brother Christopher, his brother John and wife Tina, his nephew Dustin, and niece Ashley.  Philip is preceded in death by his father Wensey, his mother Peggy, and his wife Doloris Pritchett.

Philip enjoyed socializing and often hosted parties at his home, usually with live entertainment.  Philip was a founding member of "The Men's Group" in which he played a leading role in participating in personal growth group activities for more than 28 years.  He enjoyed literature and authored many poems which he generously shared with like minded friends and read frequently at social gatherings.  Although blinded by his M.S. Philip still managed to write extensively and authored a novel entitled "Apples of Stone" which he published in 2006.  It is an environmental detective novel based on the Times Beach, Missouri environmental disaster. It is also the story of a human tragedy involving altruism, human weakness, and corporate greed.

Having M.S. did not hinder Philip's ambitions or his academic achievements.  He graduated from Ohio State University with a Masters Degree in English Literature and later a Masters Degree in Social Work at S.M.U.  He was licensed as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and then trained as as EMDR Therapist who specialized in treating PTSD and Anxiety Disorders. After obtaining his degree in 2001, he worked for Ozark Counseling Center.  Since 2009, Philip worked from his home to provide treatment for his many clients and also did supervision of other behavior health professionals.

Philip Michael Marsh was born on November 17, 1946 in St. John's Hospital in Springfield, Missouri.  Philip was raised in Fair Grove, Missouri and attended school there until he was a teenager when his family moved to Springfield.  While in elementary school Philip proved himself to be an outstanding student who made straight As and was an excellent baseball pitcher.  There in Fair Grove, Philip was voted the 4th grade "King of the School" and was extremely popular with his classmates.  He went on to Parkview high school where he graduated in 1964 and then to achieve his Bachelor Degree in English from M.U. In 1968.  Philip joined VISTA volunteers after he graduated from Ohio State University and lived in Montana working as a community organizer from 1974-1979.  While in Montana, Philip attended several years of writing classes there.  He started writing his novel as a result of his training there in Montana.

Philip will be remembered for his incredible intelligence, his joyous laughter, infectious good humor, his rapier wit and deep compassion for his fellow humans in need.  His favorite quote was from Alfred Lord Tennyson: "To seek, to strive, to find and not to yield".

God Speed on your new adventure Phil!

Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 16, 2021 in Hazelwood Cemetery under the care of Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home.  No visitation is planned.