W.J.Philip Keeling

We are so saddened to learn of your “summer of grief and gratitude”. It seems so unfair that such a kind and gentle man as Philip should suffer in such a cruel manner. I was in Wanaka on Monday last week and had an early evening walk on the lakefront. I came on a lovely little bay that I think was the one where you took our whanau in 1999 for a happy day of picnicing, fishing and paddling. I shed a few tears of grief and gratitude for the precious shared memories. We feel so privileged to have known Philip and have these memories to share.

I knew Philip only in a working situation at Advanced Business Education when he worked for ICANZ in their Christchurch office. He always struck me as highly intelligent, very thoughtful, a delight to talk with and a gentle loving smile .It was good to know you Philip. A gentleman who made life special .Thankyou. Derek Robison

I have known Philip for 20 years (and even before as we met when I was at university and he was an adult student). We worked together delivering the professional accounting programme and then kept in touch over the years. Philip was such a generous and kind person, a lifetime learner with a passion for education. Our children grew up learning to ski thanks to staying in Philips and Sally's wonderful house in Wanaka. It was a place full of memories and it helped create our own over the years. We will miss you Philip and know your family, grandchildren and friends will too. It was a life well lived with great love for your family. Lisa, Wayne, Cameron, Latham and Brooke Henderson

Dear Philip, our connections date back to the Victoria University Drama Club in the late 1960s when you and I were deeply involved with the various stage productions and reviews mounted during those halcyon years. These were formative years for both of us and the fact you valued those links by keeping in touch for the next half century was indeed wonderful. It was always great to talk about the people we had once known so well, but even better was to continue our friendship despite distance and very different life experiences since those heady youthful days. Hearing at your memorial service Sally, your children and grandchildren describe how great a husband, father and grandfather you were touched me deeply. May you indeed live on forever in the living, especially in those who loved you most.

To the Keeling family I have just listened to the service you had for Philip and it was so beautiful and so complete and outlined a wonderful and extraordinary person who lived his entire life so fully and with so much aroha and respect for all he cared for and worked with. I worked with Philip for over 12 years as a facilitator for Advanced Business Education Ltd and got to know and see a passionate and talented leader in action. The work we did together was ahead of its time and so much fun professionally and personally. I especially remember the time I went to Malaysia and arriving at midnight and Philip being there to welcome me. And also all the sessions we had in Auckland learning and planning for the next suite of modules. I concur with the words of Philip R and Gill and thank you Philip K for enabling me to be part of the programme for so long. Linda Bain