Phillip Harman

Phillip Harman (1933-2024) was born and raised in Christiansburg, Virginia to Roy David and Jeannette Dupuy Harman. He graduated from Virginia Tech in 1954 and held a life-long love for his alma mater. At the beginning of every football season he would say that the only thing that mattered was that Tech beat UVa! 

Upon graduation after serving in the ROTC, he began his military service in the Air Force, beginning a lifelong love of airplanes. He was stationed across the world, including Riverside Air Force Base in California and Guam. He flew missions in South America, Europe and other strategic locations to ensure the United States remained safe at this height of the Cold War. Additionally, he spent time in the Air Force’s special operations and over the years shared those stories of his training and maneuvers.

Later, he was asked to come home to run the family business, Harman Fur Farms. While running the family enterprise, he continued to maintain his love of flying by serving in the Air National Guard. He served many years in the Guard and retired a Lieutenant Colonel. After he closed the fur farm business in the mid-80’s, he continued to maintain significant agriculture and business holdings for many years.

in the 1980’s, he retired from both the farming business and the Air National Guard. He then took a job as the chief pilot for Virginia Tech. Phillip continued in this position until the mid-2000’s and then fully retired on his own terms at 78 years old. He never lost his love of all things fast nor his love of nature. 

Phil Harman was someone who was kind, selfless, generous and fearless, and he will be missed by those that were fortunate to have known him or met him.

He is survived by his long-time companion, Kathleen Unruh, his children Kelly, Phillip, John, son-in-law Steve McMaster, his sister, Suzanne Harman Munson and his beloved cat Peaches.

A graveside memorial will be held on Wednesday, September 4th at 10am at the Sunset Cemetery in Christiansburg. 

 In lieu of flowers please make donation to the Montgomery Humane Society.