Phillip H. Gutenkunst, 84, of Grafton, passed away Thursday, Aug. 19, 2010, at Kathy Hospice.

Phil was born on Dec. 18, 1925, to Hugo and Gertrude (nee Douglas) Gutenkunst in Milwaukee and was also raised in Milwaukee where he attended MUS. During his high school years he was a track star and held the pole vaulting record of 11’6" and was a camper and counselor at Willowbrook Camp in Hustisford along with a Boy Scout Leader. After graduating in 1944, he went to Brown University in Boston, Mass., for one year and then Marquette University for two years, studying business while working at Milwaukee Malleable. Phil married Carol L. (nee Stock) on Oct. 23, 1948, in Milwaukee and they started their family while living in Whitefish Bay. He then became the owner/operator of John E. Platz Photography Studios’ four locations (Whitefish Bay, Downer Avenue, Wauwatosa and Capital Court) from 1951 to 1964. After receiving his insurance license, Phil was an insurance agent for John Hancock from 1964 until retiring in 1994. While at John Hancock, he qualified for the MDRT many times. In 1957 Phil and Carol moved to Hawthorne Road in Mequon where they had many barn and pool parties along with the raising of many animals. Phil also raced go-karts and won the "Old Guys Club Championship" in 1962. For 20 years, Phil was on the Mequon Police Department Auxillary Force. He especially loved the family vacations, which either were by car, van or airplane, taking the family throughout the United States and abroad. After retirement, Phil and Carol moved to West Bend, then Grafton, spending their winters in Estero, Fla. He was an avid tennis player and enjoyed walking his dogs, ZaZa and Teddy, along with playing bocce ball in Florida and driving the executive "Gute" golf cart around. Phil was a member of the Wisconsin Club of Milwaukee, Exchange Club, Gyro International, Newburg Lions Club and the Bonniwell Hunt Club and was a board member at the Milwaukee Malleable.

Phil is survived by his wife, Carol; children, Doug, Wendy (Rick) Riemer, Sally (Warren) Poppe, Mary (Hale) Alverson and Ann (Jim) Phillip. Further survived by his grandchildren, Holly (Chad) Wilshire, Joe, Ross (Kristi) Riemer, Leah Riemer, Celeste Poppe, Andra (Tony) Angone and Kirsten Samster; step-grandchildren, Lee Phillip, Kim (Keith) Preisgen and Chris (Holly) Phillip, great-grandchildren, Madison, Grant, Kaylee and Parker; step-great-grandchildren, Shaylynn, Keenan, Kambria, Logan and Reece; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Preceded in death by his parents and brother, Lt. Doug Gutenkunst of the U.S. Navy "Jolly Rogers."

A funeral service for Phil will be at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2010, at the Phillip Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will take place at Forest Home Cemetery in Milwaukee. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Wednesday, Aug. 25, from 5 p.m. until time of service. Memorials are appreciated to the University School/ Milwaukee, 2100 W. Fairy Chasm Rd., Milwaukee 53217.

The Phillip Funeral Home of West Bend is assisting the family. www.phillipfuneralhome.com.

A special thank you to Dr. Gary Herdrich and staff and the staff at Kathy Hospice for all their loving care of Phil.