PHILIPP (PHIL) L. BROCKINGTON, JR., age 83, of Valparaiso, IN, passed away peacefully Sunday, November 5, 2023, at his home surrounded by friends and his beloved cat, Flore. Phil was born January 7, 1940, in Richmond Hill, NY to Philipp L. and Germaine (Belivieu) Brockington, Sr. When Phil was 14 years old, the family moved to Chesterton, IN. Phil graduated from Chesterton High School in 1958, from Amherst College in 1962 and from Harvard Law School in 1965. He began his law career with Chester, Clifford, Hoeppner & Horan in Valparaiso and served as partner from 1966 to 1972. A major case for Phil was representing Orville Redenbacher in the sale of his popcorn business to Hunt-Wesson Foods. In 1972 Phil joined the faculty of Valparaiso University (VU) School of Law where he taught business law courses, such as Corporations and Mergers and Acquisitions, and his favorite, a seminar in Law and Literature. He retired from VU in 1996. Phil then turned his many talents to supporting the arts. He became a docent for the Brauer Museum of Art at Valparaiso University. He and his partner Howard Reeve, Jr., donated valuable works of art to the Museum that provided context for the Collection’s 19th-century portraits. Phil was the driving force and donor, as well as a writer, for the Museum’s catalogue, American Art of the Brauer Museum of Art, published in 2020. At the same time, Phil continually added to his own private collection of renowned Indiana artists and generously supported the Porter County Museum. As co-owner of Coburg Planting Fields in Valparaiso, Phil’s love of daylilies led him to hybridize his own daylilies, two of which are “Coburg Fright Wig” and “Germaine.” In recent years Phil enjoyed playing bridge with his many friends, hosting the Mathesis Club, and painting wonderful watercolor portraits of cats. Phil was always looking to the future in his creative endeavors. He spent a lifetime sharing his love of the arts and literature with the world and bringing his quiet intelligence to all who knew him. Philipp was preceded in death by his parents and his partner Howard Reeve, Jr.
At Phil’s request, a gathering of his friends and colleagues will be held on Saturday, December 2, 2023, from 1:00 to 3:00 pm at the Brauer Museum of Art on the campus of Valparaiso University. Memorials in Philipp Brockington’s name may be made to the Brauer Museum of Art or the Porter County Museum.
GUESTBOOK
Such a wonderful person. Phil will be sadly missed. -Janet & Donnie Waybill
I am so sorry about the passing of Phil. I had him as an enthusiastic student a few years ago in Christ College's Masterworks program. He was erudite and funny. I also admire him as a warrior for the arts. He has done so much for the arts on this campus. -Cynthia Rutz
Many good memories of Phil (and Howard), from the tours of Coburg Farm and Phil's sage advice about what lilies would prosper in our yard, to lively lunches in the old refectory at Christ College, to sessions with Phil on the advisory board for the Sloan collection that was the heart of the new Brauer Museum, and finally our admiration for Phil's advocacy in trying to prevent the dismally inappropriate sale of the masterpieces at the Brauer. His memory will be a blessing to all who knew him. -Bill & Wendy Olmsted
Phil was a generous friend and neighbor, and he was a gentle soul who will be greatly missed. -Ellen and Fred Meyer
