Philipp Donald Kegel

May 12, 1922 - April 14, 2019

Philipp D. Kegel, 96, of Syracuse passed away on Sunday after a period of declining health.

Born May 12, 1922 in Liebling, Romania, Philipp was the eldest son of Philipp and Teresia Schubkegel. On the day of his birth, his father carried him to the Lutheran church to be baptized. That fall they immigrated to the United States, and resided in Chicago, Illinois.

He graduated from Lane Technical High School in 1939, and then completed his degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology in 1943. He enlisted in the Navy, and received additional training in refrigeration from Carrier Corporation in Syracuse, NY. He then served in the US Navy aboard the USS Malabar in the Pacific during World War II.

Philipp married Carmen D. Mahnke on June 21, 1952, and they had 3 children. In 1955 they moved to Little Falls, NY, where Philipp was employed with Cherry Burrell. In 1962, the family moved to Syracuse, where Philipp began his career with Carrier, working in their design and international divisions. After retiring in 1987, he served as president of the Carrier Retirees Association.

Philipp was an active member of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, where he served on the council, was a superintendent, Sunday School Teacher and sang with the choir. In later years, he became an active member of St. Stephen Lutheran, and served as president of their senior fellowship group.

He was Scout Master of Boy Scout Troop 141, a Little League coach, and enjoyed singing with the Liederkranz German Chorus. With his wife Carmen, he worked at election polls, well into his 90’s.

After Carmen passed away in 2000, he met and married Ruth Coleman in 2006. Following Ruth’s passing he moved into the Hearth on James, where he met and married Doris Bower in 2015.

In addition to his wife Doris, Philipp is survived by his daughter, Andrea (Mark) Peterson; his sons, John (Laura) and Mark (Patricia); step daughters, Nancy DeVivo, Barbara Coleman and Margaret Youngmann; grandchildren, Daniel, Timothy and Rebekah Peterson and Matthew, Benjamin, Carolyn and Grant Kegel and great-grandchildren, Philipp, Lucy and Nils.

Calling hours will be Tuesday, Apr. 16th, 4 to 6:30 pm at Carter Funeral Home, 1604 Grant Blvd., Syracuse. Funeral Services will be Wednesday at 10 am in St. Stephen Lutheran Church, DeWitt St., Syracuse and burial will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery.

Eternal rest grant him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine on him.

Contributions may be made to St. Stephen Lutheran Church or the charity of one’s choice.