Ieva, together with Phil's brothers, Marty '78 and Pete, and some dear friends, including our classmate Andrea Baumann Lustig, established the Fund in 2006 after Phil's untimely death a few months earlier. Ieva credits Andrea with inspiring her to create this Memorial. The Fund awards the Prize each year to an underclass rugby player to recognize "his or her unique leadership and sportsmanship qualities, both on and off the rugby pitch, that our friend and teammate Phil personified." The Prize is permanently represented by a stunning two-foot bronze sculpture that shows two hands poised to catch a rugby ball.
Phil and Ieva's two sons are extremely proud of their dad, most especially for his "off the field" accomplishments, being the most loving and nurturing (and nature-loving) dad ever. Oliver, a freshman at Wake Forest, will never forget all the "strenuous for some" bike expeditions with his father, and Colton, who is about to finish the second grade, claims he knows more of Patriot's Path in Morris County than any other 7-year old, thanks to his dad, who took him on Saturday morning hikes for as long as he can remember . . . what a fond memory.
For more information about the Foundation, please visit its website at www.parmrfund.org.
