Obituaries : * Robert E. Phillips; Wrote Book About WWII

Robert E. (Bob) Phillips, a lifelong resident of Ventura County and the author of a book about World War II, has died. He was 75.

Phillips grew up on a Fillmore chicken ranch. After attending Ventura College, Phillips went to radio school in the late 1930s, where he became a radio service technician, said his wife of 40 years, Doris Phillips.

He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1941 and was trained as an aircraft radio technician.

In 1942, he set up and operated air warning station “KC8” in Japanese-occupied northern Burma. Phillips was awarded a bronze star medal for his work in the station, his wife said.

After the war, Phillips wrote a book titled “KC8 Burma” describing his war experience. After the war, he operated a radio shop, first in Fillmore and later in Ventura. He later became a real estate broker.

He moved to Ventura in 1959 where he lived until the time of his death.

Phillips died on Tuesday after he had a heart attack, Doris Phillips said.

He is also survived by a son, John S. Phillips of Ventura, a daughter, Donna L. Griffin, and son-in-law, Michael Griffin of McKinleyville, Calif., a sister, Catherine Howe of Ventura, and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Charles Carroll Funeral Home in Ventura.