Philip "Phil" Friederichs

Philip John Friederichs, beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, and friend to many, went to his eternal home with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Wednesday, February 27, 2019, at the age of 67.  He passed suddenly, but peacefully, surrounded by his family. 

He is survived by his wife of almost 45 years, Sharlene Gersch Friederichs and his two sons, Aaron Friederichs of Boca Raton and Brian Friederichs of Atlantic Beach, Florida.   He is also survived by a brother, Dr. Timothy Friederichs of Salinas, California, and two sisters, Sue Ann Friederichs Glusenkamp (Ron) of Denver, Colorado, and Joan Marie Freiderichs Streck (Steve) of Wichita, Kansas, and his brother-in-law Howard Neitsch of Winter Haven, Florida. Nieces and nephews include Bradley Neitsch,  Nathan (Laura) Glusenkamp, Noah (Caroline) Glusenkamp, Hannah Glusenkamp, Sarah (Nathan) Streck Sutherland, Naomi (Alan) Streck Sevart, and Rebekah (Adam) Streck Highfill.  Great-nephew and nieces include Liam, Kate, and Grace Sutherland.  Phil was preceded in death by his parents, Reverend William and Doris Friederichs of Des Peres (West County, St. Louis) Missouri, and two preterm infant children, Seth and Sarah. 

Phil graduated from Lutheran High School South in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1970.  He attended college at Concordia University in Austin, Texas, where he met his future wife, Sharlene Gersch of Dallas, Texas.  He continued his education at Concordia University in River Forest, Illinois (suburb of Chicago), where he graduated in 1974 with a bachelor’s degree.  Later he earned a master’s degree at Nova University.  Phil and Sharlene were married on June 29, 1974.  Together they served as teachers at St. Michael Lutheran School in Ft. Myers, Florida.  Along with teaching sixth grade, Phil coached basketball and was youth director at St. Michael.  Later he taught at St. John Lutheran High School in Ocala, and Zion Lutheran High School in Deerfield Beach.  He also coached golf at Advent and Pope John Paul High School.    Phil was principal at Advent Lutheran School in Boca Raton for ten years.  In August of 1998, he was diagnosed and successfully treated for an anaplastic astrocytoma, a highly malignant brain tumor.  Since Phil was given only 1 – 2 years to live, he retired at the end of the school year to battle the cancerous tumor.   By the grace of God, he remained free of tumor recurrence for over twenty years. 

Phil subsequently worked part-time as Minister of Community Relations and Outreach and later served as Development Officer at St. Paul Lutheran Church and School, also in Boca Raton.   He was an active staff member at St. Paul Lutheran Church and School at the time of his death. 

Phil’s #1 priority and passion has always been his relationships with 1. God (faith), 2. Family, 3. Friends.  He loved God and he loved people!  He had unfailing passionate devotion to his wife and sons.  He truly was so proud of his wife and sons and loved spending time with each of them.   He was joyful and fun-loving.  Phil loved starting the week off at church worshipping his Savior and fellowshipping with the body of believers.  He participated in many church and home Bible studies.  He loved to host bar-b-ques for his family and friends, go fishing with anyone willing, and loved winning card and domino games.  Phil’s competitive spirit made him an avid sports enthusiast, and player on school basketball, baseball, golf teams and leagues.   He excelled so well in college basketball that one Chicago sports news writer dubbed him “Fill-er-up Friederichs” and “Sweet Freddie” because of the numerous points he would score every game.  In fact, Phil was looked at by a Chicago Bulls scout.  Once he was out of college, he turned his love for sports into coaching.  Phil was named basketball All-Broward Coach of the Year while at Zion and twice Coach-of-the Year for golf at Pope John Paul High School. 

Phil was also very musical, singing in several choirs throughout his life. He sang and played guitar in a country-western band called Dixie Highway.  While the band played primarily for church events, his band also played for the nearby prison and would often comment, “It was a captive audience.”   Almost every morning Sharlene (and the boys when they lived at home or whoever was visiting) were greeted by some song – quite loudly too!  Many times he would come into a room and greet everyone with “Hello, you lucky people!” and leave with “God bless you!”  All of those who knew him have probably heard one of Phil’s jokes.  He seemed to have one for every occasion, after which he would chuckle and say, “I just crack myself up!”  He truly will be missed here on earth!  We already look forward to the day we will all be united in heaven – which is why he was so passionate about sharing the good news of Christ!  He wants all of you to be with him in heaven!

Visitation will be at the Glick Family Funeral Home in Boca Raton on Sunday, March 3, 2019, from 12:30 to 5:00 PM. Funeral services will be held at St. Paul Lutheran Church ,701 W. Palmetto Park Rd, in Boca Raton on Monday, March 4, 2019, at 4:30 PM. There will be a short time of visitation on Monday from 3:30-4:15 PM at the church prior to the funeral service.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his honor to St. Paul Lutheran Church and School in Boca Raton (www.stpaulboca.com), Food for the Poor (www.FoodForThePoor.org), or a charity of your choice.

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