Phillip Glenn Wahlbeck
March 29, 1933 ~ October 28, 2022
Born March 29, 1933, in Kankakee, IL to John and Florence Wahlbeck. Phillip left his body behind and went to heaven to join his Savior, October 28, 2022. He graduated from Kankakee High School, received a B.S. and Ph.D. from the U of Illinois. He held a post-doctoral fellowship at KU. He was on the chemistry faculty at the IL Inst. of Tech. in Chicago and came to WSU as professor and chair of the chem department. His expertise in physical chem was high-temperature chemistry, including the physical properties of superconductors, and he published numerous articles, received federal grants, and held national lab appointments.In 1956 he married Donna Frost in Wheaton, IL. God blessed them with three wonderful children: Debra Cappella (Larry) of Frankfurt, Germany; Paul Wahlbeck (Janice) of Annandale, VA; and Beth Rakow (Tom) of Hutchinson, MN. He was predeceased by his parents, brother, Ira (Donna), and son-in-law, Larry Cappella. Phil, an accomplished musician, started taking organ lessons in 1948 and had many opportunities to play the organ. Phillip and Donna enjoyed travel: cruises, camping, and sabbatical leaves in Trondheim, Norway. Phil’s faith was manifested in his involvement in Bible Study Fellowship, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, and teaching Bible studies. Phil summed up his life, saying, “I became a believer in Jesus Christ … when I was 16 years old. That decision shaped all other things after that.”Visitation will be 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, Tuesday, November 1, 2022, at Downing & Lahey East Mortuary, Funeral services will be 2:00 pm, Wednesday, November 2, 2022, at Eastminster Presbyterian Church. The service will be live streamed and available to view through Eastminster's website or by clicking "Watch Event" below.Memorials have been established with Bible Study Fellowship and Eastminster Presbyterian Church. Services in care of Downing & Lahey East Mortuary.
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I am Marvin Soliah, and I knew Phillip for 40 years from two churches here locally. I would like to extend my condolences to the Wahlbeck family. My special tribute is to express my gratitude for when he took time to give me a few basic church organ lessons. That was so enjoyable, and we had such good fellowship. These are great memories of sharing our music interests. Phillip was truly a great Christian man.
Marvin Soliah
Our condolences to Phillip’s family. I only knew him through his daughter, Debra, and because he and his wife lived at Larksfield. He was well thought of. May perpetual light shine upon him. — Sharon and Dan Leiker