Dr. Philip Edmund Comer, PhD, 91, of Morgantown, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024. He was born on May 15, 1932, the son of the late Edmund Joseph and Helen Sarah (Delbrugge) Comer.
Phil grew up in Wheeling. He graduated from Linsly Military Institute in 1950 and then attended West Virginia University on a wrestling scholarship. This is where he met the love of his life, Nancy. They were wed on June 11, 1955, in Cumberland, Md., and were married for over 65 years.
Phil and Nancy began their amazing love affair as a young military couple who were stationed at Fort Rucker in Alabama, Fort Knox in Kentucky, and at Gary Air Force Base in Texas between 1955-59 where Phil was Lieutenant, U.S. Army. His primary duties were as an Armored Training Officer, Aviator, and Flight Instructor.
After moving back to Morgantown, Phil finished his education and began his career at WVU. He received his bachelor’s degree, master’s degree and his finally his doctorate in psychology in January of 1971, all from West Virginia University. Phil was a Clinical Psychologist, Professor, Associate Director, and Director of the WVU Carruth Center for Counseling and Psychological Services. He was a distinguished teacher and wise counselor, who was a favorite among his students. During his time at the Carruth Center, he and Nancy, along with the help of their daughters, hosted countless get-togethers at their home for all of the staff and students. Nancy was known for her amazing cooking skills and there were always lots of delicious refreshments! The Comer residence was a warm and welcoming home-away-from-home for his students where many backyard picnics, volleyball games and the annual Crab Feast were held.
Throughout his professional career, Phil authored, co-authored, and created over 35 different types of publications or presentations. Most notable of these was an outstanding program that was given each year to parents of all new students at WVU during the Summer Orientation Program. His address “Parents Experience of College” had an incredible impact on new WVU families and was consistently rated as the best part of the entire program each year.
He was a Fellow and Past President of the West Virginia Psychological Association and received their Lifetime Achievement Award. Among his numerous awards and recognitions, Phil was named Professor of the Year for the State of West Virginia; Outstanding Professor, West Virginia University, WVU College of Arts & Sciences, and WVU Honors Program; Charter Member, WVU Division of Student Affairs (now Division of Student Life) Hall of Fame; Most Loyal Faculty Mountaineer; WVU President’s Shining Star Award; and honored by the WVU Psychology Department by establishment of the Philip E. Comer Graduate Teaching Award. He also proudly served as a University Marshall at WVU’s graduation ceremonies from 1986-96.
Phil retired from WVU in 1997 after 34 years of faculty and administrative service. Upon his retirement, he was awarded the status of Professor Emeritus of Psychology. He started a private counseling and consulting practice where his wife, Nancy, served as his secretary and office manager. Phil’s clients were often treated to a second therapy session with Nancy as they checked out. They truly were quite a special team.
Later in life, from 2004 until 2020 (when everything was shut down due to the COVID pandemic), Phil started a new career working in Clarksburg with the Disability Determination Section of the Division of Rehabilitation Services of West Virginia, where he was a beloved colleague, mentor, and friend to his co-workers. He taught himself to type and to navigate working on a computer. He was known for his well-decorated cubicle full of family photos, cartoons, and quotes, as well as for sharing chocolates and coffee with others.
Phil’s true passion was being a loving and devoted spouse to his wife, Nancy, whom he adoringly called his “Golden Girl,” and she in turn referred to him as “Her Phil.” He was a doting and caring father to his daughters, Vicki and Missy, and always welcomed their friends into their home. In their younger years, he was often the “chauffeur” driving them to all of their various activities in their giant “family truckster,” wood-paneled station wagon filled with their friends. Phil carried on his father’s tradition of giving his family wonderful foot rubs and was lovingly known for giving the very best “bear hugs!” But perhaps the role Phil treasured most of all was being the adoring grandad to his precious grandchildren, Kate and Jackson. After the tragic death of their mother, Phil lovingly took on the role of being “Super Grandad” to them and they were truly the light of his life!
He was a long-time member of Wesley United Methodist Church in Morgantown. Phil was also a member of the Linsly Aviator Society, member of Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity (’51 WV Alpha Chapter), and the Golden Key National Honor Society. Phil was an avid reader, history buff and had a love for trains because his father worked for the B&O Railroad. He treasured his family’s annual beach trips to the South & North Carolina shores where they vacationed with friends.
Phil is survived by his daughter, Victoria (Vicki) Anne, and spouse and favorite son-in-law, Brian Hoover of Morgantown, who lived with, and cared for him since the passing of his beloved wife, Nancy; two precious grandchildren, Kathryn (Kate) Anne Wolfe and Jackson (Buddy) Davis Wolfe; special nieces, Sondra K. Britt and Erin Helmstetter (Douglas); special nephews, Charles (Chip) White (Martha) and Scott Pinter; his son-in-law, Gregory Wolfe; goddaughters, Karen Downes and Mary Louise Rogers; and many other loving relatives and countless treasured family friends.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Nancy Jean Wenzel Comer, in December of 2020 due to complications from COVID; his precious daughter, Melissa Sue Wolfe; his sister, Linda Straub (Andrew); his two sisters-in-law, Zenith White (Charles) and Joan Pinter (Eugene); and his in-laws, John and Kathryn Wenzel.
His family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to all of the caring and compassionate staff of Morgantown Hospice for taking such tremendous care of Phil this past year. They also want to extend special thanks to Angie, Lisa, Marcy and Michael who assisted his family with his care which enabled Phil to stay at home. Phil genuinely loved all of them and they adored him too! We also want to extend our thanks to the friendly staff at the Wendy’s restaurant on Patteson Drive for always taking the extra time and effort to bake their tasty oatmeal bars for him – they were Phil’s favorite treat!
Friends and family will be received at Wesley United Methodist Church, 503 North High St., Morgantown, from 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 31, until the time of the funeral service at 12:30 p.m. with Pastor Larry Buckland officiating. Afterwards, a brief internment service will be held at Beverly Hills Memorial Gardens, 1290 Fairmont Rd., Morgantown, for family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you please consider donating to the WVU Honors College for student support, via the WVU Foundation, One Waterfront Place – 7th Floor, P.O. Box 1650, Morgantown, WV 26507. Please note “In memory of Dr. Philip Comer, Fund 2V153, WVU Honors College.” Or, donations may be made to the Amedisys Foundation, 3854 American Way, Suite A, Baton Rouge, LA 70816. The local office of Morgantown Hospice on Collins Ferry Road, an Amedisys Partner, provided absolutely amazing and compassionate care for Phil and his family for the past year.
Condolences:
hastingsfuneralhome.com
