Philip Ernest Pittz passed away on Monday, June 29, peacefully after a battle with Parkinson’s disease. He was born Feb. 22,1936, in Madison, Wis., to Ernest and Kathryn Conway Pittz. Phil graduated from Edgewood High School and the University of Wisconsin. He went into the Army to serve his country and was honorable discharged. In the ’60s he moved out West and was one of the original ski school instructors at Alta working for Alf Engen.

In Salt Lake City, Utah ,he met his wife-to-be, Louise Marie Tacheny. They were married just shy of 50 years before her passing in 2010. Their journey together included four children (Christopher Pittz, Phil Pittz Jr., Marsha Sarver and Kelly Howard) and six grandchildren.

Phil retired from a dedicated career with 3M Company that saw him rise to Senior Account Representative in Phoenix and Denver. Phil joined the Winter Park Ski School the opening season of Mary Jane as a part-timer under the direction of George Engel and Bill Wilson. He continued for years earning his life-time season pass. Phil was a champion tennis player and golfer, marathon runner, long distance bike rider, brief minor league baseball player, and a four sport four year letterman in high school. He made regular trips to Maui to windsurf.

Even with these diversions he would happily tell you that there is no time better spent than fishing with a fly rod. His legacy includes passing the gift of loving the outdoors not just as a lifestyle but as life-defining. He loved his family, his friends, his idiot dogs, and the Fraser Valley. He’s on his way to where the trout are always rising, the snow is endlessly untracked, and the retriever drops the ball when asked the first time.

A celebration of his life will be held toward the end of summer at a place to be determined.