Joseph “Phil” Aumick, 68, of Bennington, passed away on Tuesday, October 17, 2023 after complications from his recent diagnosis of lymphoma. He was born in Little Rock, AR, on April 1, 1955, to Frederick G. and Julia Elizabeth (Roche) Aumick. He met his wife, Patti L. Bowman, of 46 years at the University of Kansas, where he majored in journalism. Phil and Patti married on May 28, 1977, in Clifton, KS.
Phil remained an active Jayhawk fan the rest of his life, introducing his children to KU basketball and Allen Fieldhouse at a young age.
Phil spent his career in advertising and marketing, working at the Salina Journal, Waters True Value Hardware stores, and as the Ottawa County economic development coordinator, where he combined his marketing skills with his drive to serve his community.
Phil was active in the Bennington and Minneapolis communities for many years, serving on the Twin Valley School Board for twelve years and on the Board of Directors for Rock City Park and Golden Wheel Senior Center. He volunteered for numerous community and school projects over the years, from the Bennington ball fields to the carnival at the Ottawa County Fair. When his children were in school, he coached many of their sports teams for years.
In his spare time, Phil liked to do jigsaw puzzles, fly fish, hike, and travel. After retiring, Phil and Patti traveled extensively in their RV and made frequent trips to see their children and grandchildren. Phil’s creative side came out in his wood working, gardening and landscaping, and the many craft projects he did with his grandkids. He enjoyed the planning and learning involved in his hobbies and travels just as much as he enjoyed the projects and trips themselves. But most of all, he cherished his time spent with his family and grandchildren.
Left to treasure his memory are his wife, Patti, of Bennington; daughter, Dana Berggren, husband Michael, and their children Caleb, Grant, and Madelyn, of Pella, IA; son, Brian Aumick, of Voorheesville, NY and his son Drew; father, Frederick Aumick, of Lawrence, KS; brother, David Aumick, of Troy, OH; sister, Joyce Claterbos, of Lawrence, KS; and several nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his mother, Julia “Liz” Aumick, sister-in-law, Karen Aumick, and brother-in-law, Chris Claterbos.
A memorial service will be 3 p.m. Monday, October 23, 2023, at Ryan Mortuary. Visitation will be Sunday, October 22, from 1-3 pm. at Ryan Mortuary.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Twin Valley Education Foundation, the Salina Rescue Mission, or Shiloh Ranch Ministries in Solomon,KS, in care of Ryan Mortuary, 137 North Eighth Street, Salina, Kansas, 67401.