Marvin Phillips
October 3, 1928 — January 22, 2025
Marvin Phillips, age 96, died peacefully on January 22, 2025, due to complications from COVID-19.
He held degrees from Albion College and Michigan State University. After earning a Master of Arts in Theater, he was drafted into the US Army and served in Korea.
Marvin married Jeanne Whitton and was hired by the University of Chicago as director of theater. He founded the Court Theater in 1955, a summer outdoor classics theater in Chicago.
He moved to Akron in 1961 and married Alice Henderson. They started a play-reading group called “The Pigeon Creek Players.”
He became an assistant professor of speech at Kent State University and then became the first director and founder of Wayne College in Orrville, Ohio.
Marvin retired as Director Emeritus of the Institute for Civic Education at the University of Akron.
In retirement, Marvin joined “Veterans for Peace,” played Santa Claus, held book talks at Akron Libraries, and, started a play-reading group called “The Tower 80 Players.”
He is survived by his extended family of children, Laura Davidson, Paul Haskin, Curt Willis, Jane Willis, Theodore Phillips, and Michael Phillips. His grandchildren are Kerry, Michelle, Leigh, Matthew, Dylan, and Tegan. His great-grandchildren are Silas, Abigale, and Trent.
Marvin lived a long, mostly happy life—and laughed a lot.
A memorial will be held at a future date.
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