Obituary
Phillip J Brummel, 66, of Punta Gorda, FL passed away on June 24, 2020 in Santa Rosa Beach, FL. He was surrounded by his family.
Phil was born in Kansas City, MO to Harold Richard Brummel and Mary Catherine (Huerter) Brummel on October 1, 1953. He graduated from Archbishop O’Hara High school in 1971 and the University of Missouri at Kansas City with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a concentration in accounting.
He is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 27 years, Susan Forward; beloved children, Adam Brummel (Mika), Kathryn Gratza, Kristen Roder (Philip), Amanda Kunish and Dan Brummel (Kortney); granddaughters Halle, Reagan, Alexandria and Nora; his parents; siblings Dick (Jane), Mark (Carolyn), David (Denise), Michael (Diane) and Patricia; eight nephews and nieces and their families. He is preceded in death by his son, Benjamin Brummel.
Phil worked 32 years as a CPA for BKD CPAs & Advisors, including 21 years as a partner. During his career he was the leader of BKD’s Kansas City healthcare practice and significantly contributed to the overall growth of that practice and the entire Kansas City office. Phil was admired by his partners for the way he passionately served his clients at the highest level. Phil was also a tremendous mentor for his team members and always took the time to develop them into stronger trusted business advisors. There are many individuals at BKD today that were coached by Phil and ultimately became partners and leaders in the firm. He greatly enjoyed his work and relationships with his clients. Phil took an innovative and positive approach with his consulting clients, always looking for a way to succeed.
Phil started working in a mail order pharmacy at age 14. He worked there until graduating from college. He was a pharmacist assistant, shipping clerk, computer operator and ultimately the manager of the computer department working as a programmer. One of his big accomplishments was computerizing the accounting system for the company. Here he developed his interest and skills in computers and accounting.
Phil was very active in his children’s lives, attending many sporting events and making a lot of Hamburger Helper and Bisquick pancakes. He would “check” the brakes on the car if he had all the kids in it, knowing they would get a kick out of it. And he was always planning some adventure for everyone like goofy day trips to the Jesse James hideout or similar destinations. The family had fun-filled vacations together, including St Louis, Kentucky, the Virgin Islands, Utah and Arizona houseboat trips, Disney, and Mexico.
Phil enjoyed traveling, particularly car trips throughout the United States and the national parks and presidential museums. Phil was a proud American and had great respect for our country.
After retirement, Phil developed a woodworking hobby and had a blast making things for his family. His granddaughters loved their homemade play kitchens and sandboxes. Phil spent a lot of time reading and really enjoyed it. He also had a love for old cars that he shared with two of his brothers. Most recently they bought his all-time favorite car, a 1972 Monte Carlo, which he loved to drive.
Phil was very positive in his personal life. He only saw the best in everyone and always anticipated good outcomes. He would do anything to help his family in any way he could. If he didn’t know the answer to a question, he would research it. He was a kind and loving man. Phil had a limitless capacity to love. His love and unwavering support meant the world to his family and they are the richer for it. Phil did not give up on anyone and tried to give people the tools to make good decisions. Phil’s family is extremely close, spending time together, in person and by phone, video call or text. He was always so tickled to hear of the kids getting together. Phil was so proud of his children and wanted only the best for them. He especially loved spending time with his four granddaughters and would talk endlessly about them. He started conversations with, “did you hear about…”. Phil loved his family.
Phil was sought out for his advice and counsel and was a valuable source of wisdom for many. He had a close relationship with his brothers who also valued his wisdom and foresight. Phil was very proud of his nieces and nephews. His family, parents, brothers, and sisters in law, along with the extended family of Brummel’s are very proud of Phil and will miss him dearly.
A visitation is scheduled from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM on Thursday, July 2, 2020 at Langsford Funeral Home in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. A Mass of Christian Burial will be private at Our Lady Of Presentation Catholic Church in Lee’s Summit. Interment will be at Floral Hills East Cemetery in Lee’s Summit.
Memorial donations may be made to Hillcrest Hope, Folds of Honor or the Wounded Warrior Project.
Condolences
Visitation
Lee’s Summit, MO 64063
Susan
Our condolences to you and the whole family. What a great person we have all lost. Phil will be deeply missed. All of our love goes out to you and the family.
Jim and Cole
Al and I are very sorry to hear of Phil’s passing. We know everyone will miss him terribly. When we became connected with the Brummel family, we certainly experienced his warm and welcoming presence, and we feel blessed having known him. God bless your family during this difficult time.
My condolences to all the Brummel family.
To all of the Brummel family; I am saddened to hear of Phil’s passing. Such a wonderful man as was captured so beautifully in his obituary. He always spoke so lovingly of his children when we would stop talking work and talk about life. My heart goes out to all of you.
Sharon Fasl (Dee Dee)
Please accept our deepest sympathy on Phil’s passing. We are keeping the Brummel family in our prayers.
I am so sorry for all of the family. Prayers and hugs, to each of you. Such a shock and such a young man. Blessings, my friends.
Heartfelt sympathy to Phil’s family and friends. Holding all in my heart and prayers.
Phil was a good friend while we were at O’Hara. Rest in peace fellow 1971 graduate. It is time to go on to your reward.
Susan, I am just speechless at the thought of the grief you’re going through. My heart is so heavy for you and your family. Please know I am praying the Lord blankets you with comfort and peace in this tragic time. God bless you all. -Julie (Susan’s sister)
Susan,
We are devastated for your second loss in such a short time…We have no words to mitigate this pain…Sending more prayers for strength at this incredibly difficult time…
Deepest sympathy and prayers to you all during this difficult time.
Phil was one of my very best fellow partners at BKD. We served together for about 25 years. We were both in heath care. I remember Phil only had two real interests in life – his family and BKD. He was always dependable, hard working, and totally dedicated to his clients. He was also very smart! He did not golf, nor fish, nor hunt. Just family and BKD. I know he will be missed greatly by his large family.
One of my favorite Thomas Jefferson quotes was ” Take things always by the smooth handle” That was Phil.
Phil was such a great guy. I was fortunate to be his partner all his years and he always had the numbers right. Sue and the entire extended family I send my deepest condolences for the lost of such a great husband and father way too soon.
Kathy
My heartfelt sympathies and condolences go out to Sue and the rest of Phil’s family. As a former BKD partner in Southern Missouri and National Office, I had the pleasure of working with Phil on numerous occasions. He was a consummate professional and example of what others aspired to be. He always had time to help others and was genuinely interested in their future opportunities and their achievements.
I also enjoyed spending personal time with him when he was in Joplin to see his parents who lived down Willow Lane from me at the time. I hope the Lord will bless and keep all of you.
Jim Brown
My thoughts and prayers to you and all your family. Phil loved his family and he was so good to me professionally and personally. I am better in my professional life and personal life because of Phil. I thought the world of him and always got a kick out of him talking about his kids and grandkids and his adventures with Susan. I share the love of family with him and pray for all he loved and know he touched many of us and he always had a smile on his face. I will hold onto the last time we talked and smile knowing we solved a problem. Simply the Best Nancy
sending love and prayers to the Brummel family , so sorry for your loss ,
So very sorry for your loss. Phil was truly “what a guy”! Godspeed to heal your family’s pain. ❤️??❤️??
Phil sounds like a delightful human being. I am so sorry for your loss, I can tell he will be greatly missed by so many. Thoughts and prayers
I am very sorry to hear of Phil’s death. Please know you are all in my prayers.
Holding all of the Brummell family in my prayers as you endure this loss of life. A life well lived!
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Brummell family at this difficult time.
Hard news to bear. We met in HS ( sat behind me he was Bru to my Bra) and shared many lunch tables. Lost touch after that, but I remember him very well.
Dear Brummel Family-I am so sorry to hear of Phil’s passing. I enjoyed carpooling to O’Hara, working at Pharmaceutical Services with Phil throughout high school, and then had the pleasure of reconnecting with Phil in 1987 as a client when I was still working in healthcare. Please accept the condolences of the entire Kartman family. I will continue to pray for the repose of Phil’s soul and his Heavenly happiness, and for his family and friends as you mourn his loss.
I know of Phil through his son Adam as we work together at Bridgestone. I hear all the love that Adam has for his Dad in all the stories of things they have done, plans they were making for the future or advice his Dad has given about situations in his life. Adam I’m sure is just a chip off the old block based on the way his Dad chose to live his life. Pouring so much love and attention to his family. The Kelley family prayers are with all the Brummels. May God’s peace and presence be very real during the coming days.
So sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you and all your loved ones. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help you.
Cynthia Zimmerman
I wanted to extend my sympathies to the entire Brummel family! We McDonoughs were former neighbors of the Brummels in St Catherine’s Gardens. All of the neighborhood kids would play kickball, softball, baseball and ride bikes in the summers! Phil sounded so accomplished! What a wonderful father and grandfather he was! I will say a prayer for the repose of his soul and for the sake of the entire family. Sincerely, Mary Gomez
Phil was a wonderful son to Harold and Mary. A loving husband to Sue and a loving, helpful father to all his children. An awesome Grandpa! He was a great brother and uncle to all his family members. He was a true friend to a wide circle of people. Honoring him and sending my deepest, heartfelt sympathies. I’m keeping everyone in prayer, as you move through this grievous process of laying him to rest. He will be sorely missed.
I am shocked and saddened to learn of Phil’s passing. Phil was a great partner and friend and will be deeply missed. We worked very closely together at BKD and enjoyed many laughs. Phil had a great sense of humor and a deed, roaring laugh that was contagious. In the years that I knew Phil, he was the ultimate team player who would always be willing to help others and would never quit until the job was completed. He was extremely important to the success of BKD’s Health Care Team.
Phil was also a good friend and would often talk about how much he loved his family and how proud he was of his children. He was a great husband and father and always put his family first. Sue, I am deeply sorry for your loss and will continue to keep Phil and your family in my thoughts and prayers.
Our deepest sympathy to Dick & Jane and the entire Brummel family on Phil’s passing. We will keep all of you in our prayers.
I was shocked to learn of Phil’s passing. I had the distinct pleasure of working with him through audit engagements with BKD and John Knox Village. I always appreciated his integrity and sound advice. I only wished we could have spent more time together after retirement. My sincere condolences to Sue and family. I know he will be missed. Jim Franklin
What a terrible shock for all, Phil was a very good person. May his family find peace as we all must during this time. I remember the good times at Bishop O’Hara. RIP Phil.
Family and Friends of Phil: I feel like another member of the Brummel Family with as many days as I spent in their backyard or Mark in mine. I was so sorry to hear of Phil’s passing. He was a great guy growing up and it sure sounds like he went on to be a great young man. Mr. and Mrs. Brummel, I am so sorry and I am and will continue to pray for Phil and for you and the whole family. Your family saw me through many challenges in my life and you were always there for me. I love you guys a lot and hope all of his family will bounce off the ropes and make the best lives they can. I have no doubt they each will. Take care mark! COVID is keeping me at home. Eddie
I worked with Phil in Healthcare Consulting for more than 30 years. He was a great guy, a good friend and a person with a great professional reputation!
We will all miss him!
Larry Arthur
So sorry to hear of such sudden death. Peace be with him and his family. We were high school chums. He was always a cheerful and fun person. It’s too bad he had to say goodbye so soon. Liza Ashner
Much has been said about Phil, great father, husband, son, bright, full of life and laughter, etc. From my experience, all very true. The thing I will always appreciate about Phil was the fact that he was a mentor to many – before mentoring was required or even cool. He cared about the development of other professionals around him, and took a personal interest in seeing that it happened. Many have been blessed as a result. Phil was a great partner at BKD, and I know my life has been impacted in a very positive way through our friendship, working together and sharing a few years of our lives together in the KC office. Our hearts and prayers go out to the entire Brummel family.
So sorry to hear of Phil’s passing. A lot of good memories from the ‘old neighborhood’! My thoughts and prayers are with the entire Brummel family.
I am so sorry for your loss and praying for Phil and your family. Phil was one of my childhood friends and my memories of who he was then – good, solid, fun-loving, reliable friend – sound exactly like the person everyone knew. He was blessed to have such loving family, friends and co-workers supporting him throughout his life.
My love to all you Brummels who grew up with us on our Mersington playground, Lisie
I also want to express my condolences to all the Brummels. Like several others who have posted here, the McNamara’s also lived down the street from the Brummels. I was in the same grade as Dave, a few years behind Phil, whom I only knew then as one of the older brothers. But when I joined BKD almost five years ago in KC, I had the opportunity to connect with Phil, if only briefly before he retired. Seemed like a small world to run into somebody else who grew up on Mersington Avenue in St. Catherine’s Gardens. Phil was widely respected at BKD and obviously loved by all those who knew him. My deepest sympathies to the entire Brummel family.
I worked with Phil for several years in the BKD KC office. I remember him for his gracious kindness, and our world needs a lot more kindness.
As a fellow OHS grad, I pray: St. John Baptist de LaSalle pray for us. Live Jesus in our hearts forever.
To the Brummel Family, extended family and friends, my heart goes out to each and every one of you for your loss. Reading this obituary this morning made me truly believe that we are blessed with those special people that God puts in our lives. What a wonderful man Phil was to so many people. I didn’t know him personally, but knew his brother Mike from O’Hara High School and brother Mark from working at Brandsmart. I pray that you all will find peace in his passing and carry in your hearts the person that he was.
It was a privilege & pleasure to have known Phil. An outstanding gentleman & professional respected by all who knew him and benefited from his expertise. Phil provided audit and consulting services to our hospital (Pershing Memorial) for many years but we also thought of him as a friend…he was just that kind of guy.
Most sincere condolences to his family and army of friends.
Phil Hamilton, CEO (retired)