Phillip A. Turberg

Phillip A. Turberg (Phil) of Newtown Square, PA and Scottsdale, AZ died peacefully on August 22 this year. He was 96. He led a full and distinguished life. He was intellectually curious, diligent, generous, loving, opinionated, and had a great sense of humor. He formed steadfast relationships with family and friends, became a wise and valued advisor to leaders of financial service companies, and had an amazing ability to relate to people of all backgrounds. 

Phil was born on May 30, 1928 in Rochester, New York to Garson and Esther Turberg. He was a dutiful son helping his father sell fruits and nuts door to door during The Great Depression and accompanying him to temple most days. Phil was recognized for his intellect and took pride in being part of the “honor work group” in high school and was a scrappy point guard for the basketball team. He enlisted in the army at age 17 and served in Korea from 1945-1947. Utilizing the GI Bill, he attended the University of Rochester and graduated from Syracuse University in 1951. 

He began his actuarial career at New York Life and proceeded to pass the rigorous exams to become a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries. While at New York Life he met and married Katharine Ramsay Parsons (Ray), his wife until her death in 1989. Together they had four children whom they raised in Rose Valley, PA. 

He moved to Huggins & Company, Philadelphia, PA in 1963; rose to President and oversaw the successful merger of Huggins into the Hay Group in 1987, and became a General Partner at Hay. He was sought after for his strategic planning and organizational design expertise for insurance companies and pension funds. Clients included INA, Fireman’s Fund, Manhattan Life and American Express. Following the acquisition of Hay Group by Saatchi and Saatchi, he served as Director of Insurance Consulting at KPMG Peat Marwick in New York City. His tenure on boards included Unity Mutual Life Insurance Company, Syracuse, New York; Advanta Inc., Horsham, PA, Firemark Group, and Aspen Holdings Inc., Omaha, NE. He was an active member of the American Academy of Actuaries and International Association Consultant Actuaries. 

He married Patricia Dressler in 1991 and they spent 33 loving years together. Pat and Phil shared a love for Arizona and spent part of each year enjoying the vistas, golf, the arts and good friends. Gainey Ranch became a gathering place for their grandkids and extended family. 

Phil was a fervent and meticulous sports fan, nicknamed “Baseball” as a teen due to his tracking statistics of the Brooklyn Dodgers and the Rochester Red Wings. From his first day in Philadelphia to literally his last, he lived the ups and downs of his beloved Phillies and Eagles. Life highlights included the Eagles 2017 Super Bowl win, Phillies 1980 and 2008 World Series victories and attending the 1960 Eagles championship game. His fandom is passed on to his kids; he took pride in coaching many little league sports teams; and he loved playing clay court tennis at Rose Valley Swim Club.

Travel was a constant through his consulting career and a great joy that he shared with Pat and earlier Ray, and generations of family. From the Himalayas to Antarctica, he traveled the world touching all seven continents. His astute knowledge of wine came from visits to most wine domains of the world. Closer to home his favorite escapes could be found at Moody Beach, ME; Buck Hill Falls, PA; and frequent trips to New York City for opera, Broadway shows and wonderful meals. 

He was an avid enthusiast and supporter of the arts. He particularly loved the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, The Barnes Foundation; Five Arts Society of Scottsdale, Arizona; and Arizona Ballet. 

Phil is survived by his wife, Pat. He was devoted to his siblings, Martin Turberg (Trudy) and sister, Eleanor Werbowsky (Irwin); and brother in law John Coyle (Pia Leiser) and sister in law Martha DeBlasio. His legacy extends through his children, Charlotte DiLuzio, Thomas Turberg, Susan Bondurant (Scott), James Turberg; stepdaughters, Pamela Dressler and Suzanne Brown (Tom). He was dedicated to and had profound love for his eleven grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. He had cherished relationships with his nieces and nephews. Cassie and Waldo were affectionate canine companions in his later years. 

Relatives and friends are invited to his Celebration of Life Service 1:00 PM Saturday, September 21, 2024 at Willistown Friends Meeting, 7069 Goshen Road, Newtown Square, PA 19073.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Doctors Without Borders.