Philip “Phil” O. Nerber, 83, of Williston, Vt., passed away
peacefully at the University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington
on Saturday, December 30, 2023, surrounded by his loving family.
He was born on April
1, 1940, in Rochester, N.Y., the son of Linton and Ruth (Schmidt)
Nerber. Phil was raised in Batavia, N.Y. He held a bachelor of
science degree in engineering from Clarkson University and a master
of science degree in electrical engineering from UVM.
On June 9, 1962, he
married Gail Apenes, his high school sweetheart, and then began a
nearly 40-year career with IBM in Endicott, N.Y. Several years later,
his career led the family to relocate to Colchester, Vt., with two
young boys, where they soon welcomed a baby girl. Phil’s career was
important to him, but his dedication and love for his family and
friends was above all else.
Phil was known by
the nickname “Big Guy” to all who knew him. He became a father
figure to his children’s friends, treating them all as if they were
his own. Anyone who was friends with his children or grandchildren
was accepted into his circle.
When Phil learned
that the Colchester School District planned to cut the budget for the
high school hockey program, he became instrumental in a successful
campaign to save the program, taking out a personal loan to fund the
season. He then became one of the founding members of the Colchester
Boosters Club to support future funding of the program.
Phil was known for
his dry sense of humor. He would notice something, take a thoughtful
pause, and then deliver one of his legendary one-liners that would
leave his friends and family laughing and repeating it for days.
His family often
looked to Phil for his carefully thought-out advice. When asked for
his opinion, he would mull over the scenario every which way, making
sure the person asking understood how he viewed all the different
possible outcomes, and then they would work together to find a
logical solution.
Phil was a sports
enthusiast. He was a lifelong fan of the Buffalo Bills, the Boston
Red Sox and the Boston Bruins. He rarely missed a game. The only
events that took precedence over his interest in the professional
teams were if his children or grandchildren were participating in any
activity, which he would make every effort to attend.
He was so very proud
of each one of his six grandchildren, always checking in with them
and following with genuine interest the big and small events of their
lives. If it was important to his children or grandchildren, it was
important to him — he was always their biggest supporter and fan.
One of Phil’s true
passions and hobbies was boating, which he enjoyed as a young boy
with his father, mother and sister, camping and fishing each summer
in Canada. As young adults, he and Gail became boat owners and
members at Champlain Marina, where Phil served for years as a member
of the board and then board president. He and his family enjoyed
decades of boating on Lake Champlain. Phil loved working on his boat
almost as much as he liked being out on the lake, often tinkering
with the engines or helping others with their own boats. Once he was
tackling a mechanical challenge, he could not rest until the problem
was resolved.
Phil’s two
favorite days of the year were the Fourth of July and Thanksgiving,
which he looked forward to all year. Nothing pleased him more than a
sunny, hot Fourth of July day, boating with his children,
grandchildren and friends all day and then watching the fireworks
from the boat. He could often be found standing knee-high in the
water at Thayer’s Beach or dangling his feet off the swim platform
of his boat at Gail’s Cove, bucket hat on his head and a cold beer
in his hand. The menu for that day was not negotiable: hamburgers,
hot dogs, ketchup, macaroni salad and beer. Other things could be
served, but he did not concern himself with those and considered
everything else ancillary to those mandatory items.
His enthusiasm and
love of life have left an indelible mark on his family and friends.
He taught them to have fun and be grateful for each day. He was
always ready to participate, showing up to any invite with
enthusiasm. If he was invited, he believed it was important for him
to be there.
Phil is survived by
his son Douglas Nerber and daughter-in-law Brenda of South
Burlington, Vt.; his son Steven Nerber and daughter-in-law Nathalie
of New Hartford, N.Y.; his daughter, Deborah Nerber, of Essex
Junction, Vt.; his grandchildren, Philip, Liam (Carly), Andrew,
Gretchen, Matthew and Kathryn Nerber; his newborn great-grandson,
Harvey Theodore Nerber, born January 4, 2024; Gail Nerber of Essex
Junction; his sister, Phyllis Haenftling, of Wilkes Barre, Pa.; and
his nephews, Peter (Marie), Paul and Timothy Haenftling. He was
predeceased by his parents, Linton and Ruth Nerber; his stepmother,
Delorise Nerber; and his brother-in-law, James Haenftling.
Friends and family
are invited to call on Friday, January 12, 4 to 7 p.m., at the Ready
Funeral Home, 261 Shelburne Rd., South Burlington, VT. A funeral
service will be held on Saturday, January 13, 11 a.m., at the funeral
home.
Arrangements are in
the care of Ready Funeral & Cremation Services. To send online
condolences, please visit.
This article appears in Dec 27, 2023 – Jan 9, 2024.