Twelfth Generation

15330. Dr. Allen Kellogg PHILBRICK was born on 11 May 1914 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois.¹³⁴

He died on 27 June 2007 at the age of 93 in London, Ontario, Canada.³⁶³⁰

His obituary was published on 29 June 2007 in the Western News, University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario, Canada.³⁶³⁰

Geographer Allen Philbrick dies at 93

By Communications Staff
Friday, June 29, 2007

A recognized geographer and accomplished artist known widely for his passionate support for Mustang football died Wednesday.

Allen Kellogg Philbrick, Professor of Geography Emeritus at The University of Western Ontario, died at the age of 93 in London's University Hospital.

Born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1914, the son of painter Allen E. Philbrick and pianist Edith Lucretia Kellogg, Philbrick pursued music and art throughout his life.

His obituary notes: “His music-making at the piano was a signature of his personality. Sketching and painting were an integral part of his life as a geographer and a lover of the humanized landscape.”

Philbrick's career touched many activities including periods as an art teacher, labour organizer and civil rights activist, illustrator for the St. Louis Dispatch; art director, Second World War military service and city planner.

He served in the geography faculties of Syracuse University, University of Chicago and Michigan State University, before coming to Western in 1965. He retired in 1979, having focused on cartographic representation, global systems, geographic theory and urban culture.

An avid runner and walker into his 90s, it was happenstance in 1973 that led to his celebrated and long-running connection with the football team.

The following account appeared in Western Alumni Gazette in 2001.

“Philbrick, a geography professor emeritus, has run over 714 touchdown laps in support of The University of Western Ontario Mustangs. Every Mustang touchdown was followed by a celebratory lap around the field by Philbrick.

“The tradition began one Saturday afternoon in 1973. Philbrick was out for a jog when he happened upon a Mustang football game. The Mustangs were losing and Philbrick walked to the sidelines to watch, taking a position next to the coach. A Mustang touchdown brought the home team into the lead and Philbrick was so energized by the touchdown he decided to run a lap around the field, and so it began. At the age of 86 he ran his last lap on Sept. 16, ending the 27-year tradition.”

Philbrick perceived little divide between athletics and academics.

According to the Alumni Gazette article: “Philbrick received a classical education at Harvard, classical meaning he was required to do the necessary lessons in Greek and Latin. It was this training that taught Philbrick that the mind can train the body to do wonderful things. Philbrick understands that athletics, including football, requires discipline, practice and training.

“The same brain that can train people to do things can also write poetry, write plays, invent relativity and all the wonders of science," Philbrick told the reporter.

Away from Western, Philbrick was an energetic participant in his community. He played a leading role in the Ratepayers' Association of Orchard Park and Sherwood Forest and served two terms on London's Ecological and Environmental Protection Advisory Committee.

A public celebration of Philbrick's life will take place in the fall.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: the Allen K. Philbrick Research Fund, attention Donna Swanson, Foundation Western, Room 11, Alumni Hall, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, N6A 5B9.

Philbrick is survived by his wife, Professor Emerita Elaine Bjorklund Philbrick, and by his son, Allen James Philbrick, daughter-in-law Kathleen of Ann Arbor, Michigan; grandson Jeffery Philbrick (Karen) of Bremen, Maine; granddaughter Kristen Eichler (Jeff) of Louisville, Kentucky; great-grandsons Henry Eichler and Truman Eichler; and his extended family, Clare Gordon, Janet Gordon, and the Fu Family in Caoxian, People's Republic of China.
His obituary was published on 30 June 2007 in the Globe and Mail in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Allen Kellogg Philbrick

The Department of Geography regrets to announce that Dr. Allen Kellogg Philbrick, Professor of Geography Emeritus at The University of Western Ontario, died in his 94th year in the University Hospital, London, Ontario. Our sympathy and condolences go to his wife and family.
Dr. Philbrick is survived by the love of his life, Elaine Bjorklund Philbrick, and by his loving son, Allen James Philbrick, daughter-in-law Kathleen of Ann Arbor, Michigan; grandson Jeffery Philbrick (Karen) of Bremen, Maine; granddaughter Kristen Eichler (Jeff) of Louisville, Kentucky; great-grandsons Henry Eichler and Truman Eichler; and his extended family, Clare Gordon, Janet Gordon, and the Fu Family in Caoxian, People’s Republic of China. He is pre-deceased by his son James and his sister Jane Kofler.
Born in Chicago, Illinois, May 11, 1914, the son of two distinguished artists, Allen E. Philbrick, painter, Art Institute of Chicago, and Edith Lucretia Kellogg, pianist. Allen’s talents in both music and art brought immense joy to him and to many others throughout his life. His music-making at the piano was a signature of his personality. Sketching and painting were an integral part of his life as a geographer and a lover of the humanized landscape.
Allen’s career was many faceted: art teacher, Carlinville, Il.; labour organizer and early civil rights activist, St. Louis, Mo.; political illustrator for the St. Louis Dispatch; art director, Flint, Mi.; military service in World War II as Captain in the United States Army Air Force, Headquarters, 42nd Bomber Wing, anti-aircraft artillery officer; and city planner, Syracuse, NY and Ogden Dunes, Ind.. He served with distinction in the geography faculties of Syracuse University, The University of Chicago, and Michigan State University, before coming to The University of Western Ontario in 1965 to join the Department of Geography until retirement in 1979. Known for his inquisitive and creative mind, his geographical work focused on cartographic representation, global systems, geographic theory and urban culture.
Known since his retirement as “Big Al” to many generations of the Mustang Football Team at The University of Western Ontario, he celebrated every Mustang touchdown with a lap of honour around the track. He mentored players as faculty advisor to the football team and promoted scholar athletes. Devoted to fitness, Allen remained an avid runner and walker to his nineties. His caring influence is felt by hundreds of athletes over many years.
Allen played a leading role in the Ratepayers’ Association of Orchard Park and Sherwood Forest. Continuing his long interest in environmental protection, he served two terms on the City of London’s Ecological and Environmental Protection Advisory Committee.
Throughout his life he had an abiding love for the state of Maine where he and Elaine spent their summers. There he developed a tree farm, which he captured in watercolour and sketch.
His many accomplishments aside, AKP is most treasured for his loving nature by his devoted partner, Elaine, and his “pal forever”, AJ.
Cremation has taken place. A public celebration of Allen’s life is planned for early fall. The time and place will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: the Allen K. Philbrick Research Fund, attention Donna Swanson, Foundation Western, Room 11, Alumni Hall, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, N6A 5B9.

Elise BOWN (private).

Dr. Allen Kellogg PHILBRICK and Eugenia JAMES were married.

Eugenia JAMES³⁶³¹ was born on 18 February 1912.³¹⁴⁸ She died on 26 February 1998 at the age of 86 in Ann Arbor, Washtenaw, Michigan.³¹⁴⁸

Dr. Allen Kellogg PHILBRICK-46546 and Eugenia JAMES-50380 had the following children:

Elaine BJORKLUND (private).³⁶³⁰