Philip Alan Underwood

Rensselaer, Indiana

Philip A. Underwood, age 50, of Rensselaer and formerly of Highland passed away on Friday, November 26, 2010. He was born on June 12, 1960 in East Chicago, the son of Ernest and Lorraine Underwood. Philip was a 1978 graduate from Calumet Baptist High School in Griffith and received an Inland Steel Instrumentation craft program certificate in 1981. He was married to Diane Kemper on January 2, 1981 in Hobart. Philip began working as a senior engineer technician with Inland Steel for 18 years, and then as a combustion electrical technician with Bethlehem Steel ISG Company for 9 years, and then worked as a LFK technician with Sealy Spring for 2 years. Philip liked traveling with his family to Ireland, Scotland, and other vacation destinations. He enjoyed restoring antique keyboard instruments. He helped tune, rebuild, and repair numerous pipe organs for people to enjoy. He worked on the organ at the First United Methodist Church in Hobart, and helped restore the theatre pipe organ at the Warren Performing Arts in Indianapolis, and the preservation of the Wurlitzer Model 160 C, opus 471listed on the ATOS list of Historic Theatre Organs and it was recognized with a historic organ citation from the Organ Historical Society. He wrote for numerous technical journals including the Photographic Journal of Blower Restoration (Spencer), Photo Documentary of Pipe Repairs by Wicks Organ Company, and the Kedzie Theatre Organ Stop Specifications. He was a member of the Central Indiana Chapter of the American Theatre Organ Society and was a member of the Chicago – Midwest Organ Historial Society.

Philip is survived by his loving family; wife Diane Underwood, Rensselear, son Nicholas (Jenn Sabuda) Underwood, Merrillville, son Thomas (Rachel Hardesty) Underwood, Valparaiso, mother Lorraine Underwood, Highland, brother Brian (Kathleen) Underwood, Florham Park, NJ, sister Cindy Underwood, Highland, brother Robert Underwood, Highland, his beloved pet Fuz, and other loving family and dear friends. He was preceded in death by his father Ernest Underwood.

A visitation for Philip Underwood will be held from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Friday, December 3, 2010 at Rees Funeral Home – Hobart Chapel, 600 West Old Ridge Road, Hobart. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, December 4, 2010 at Rees Funeral Home with Brother Benjamin Basile, C.PP.S., officiating. Burial will be at Calumet Park Cemetery in Merrillville. Memorials in Philip's memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, the Central Indiana Chapter American Theatre Organ Society, or the Chicago – Midwest Chapter of the Organ Historical Society. For further information please call Rees Funeral Home at (219) 942-2109 or online at www.reesfuneralhomes.com.