Homer resident, Philip Arnold Pfenninger, 88, died Monday, Nov. 16, 2009, at Friendship Terrace Assisted Living in Homer.

Memorial services are at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2009, at Friendship Terrace Assisted Living, 250 Herndon Drive in Homer. Family services were held Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009, at Homer Funeral Home. Rev. Charles Martindell officiated. Philip was interred at Hickerson Memorial Cemetery. Military honors were performed by the Anchor Point VFW Post No. 10221.

Mr. Pfenninger was born Sept. 18, 1921, to Arnold and Clara (Paul) Pfenninger in Duluth, Minn. Phil graduated from Duluth Central High School in 1939. He attended the University of Minnesota, obtaining a bachelor's degree upon returning from overseas active duty.

Phil enlisted in the Army and served as an Air Observation Pilot from 1943 to 1946 in the 46th Field Artillery Battalion, 5th Infantry Division. After flying many reconnaissance missions over Germany in a Piper Cub, he was among the American liberators of the Nazi concentration camp at Dachau. Phil was honorably discharged as a 2nd lieutenant. Decorations include the Europe-African-Middle East Service Medal, the American Theater Service Medal and the Victory Medal.

Upon returning to the states, Phil met his future wife, Alice Mae Scott (Scotty) in Franklin, Ind. They were married later that year and settled in Farmington, Minn., where Phil taught school and the first two of their four children were born. In 1951, Phil was called up from the reserves to serve in the Korean War effort at Fort Sill, Okla., as a first lieutenant airplane and helicopter flight instructor. Following his honorable discharge in 1952, the family moved to Perham and then Duluth, Minn., where Phil continued his career in teaching and school administration. In 1959, the family moved to Omaha, Neb., where Phil earned a master's degree in math and taught at the secondary level for School District 66. After retiring in 1985, Phil enjoyed touring the United States with Scotty and settled in Medford, Ore., near their son, Roger for several years. In 2006, they moved to Homer, near their daughter, Rita.

Phil's many interests included traveling, raising roses, reading, camping, solving puzzles, watching football, bowling, story-telling and his passion: acting in live theater. He was a member of the Methodist Church, where his beautiful tenor voice harmonized with others in the choir. He was a loving and supportive husband, father, and granddad. He was known for his brave heart, positive outlook and lively sense of humor. His family reports that he laughed under fire during World War II and never knew a stranger. Days before his death he threw up his arms and declared, "Beam me up, Scotty!"

Phil was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Bertha Pfenninger; son, Douglas Pfenninger; and wife of 62 years, Scotty Pfenninger.

He is survived by his children, Roger Pfenninger of Medford, Ore.; Rita Pfenninger-Hoare of Homer, and Debra Kemp of Haines; grandchildren, Julie Johnson, Travis Pfenninger, Alicia Aldrich, Joe and Garrett Hoanin, Iris and Chandler Kemp; numerous great-grandchildren; and several beloved cousins.

Arrangements were by Homer Funeral Home.

Information about fire, police and troopers is taken from public records consisting of logbooks and press releases.