Phil Porter ’37

Noted Dallas petroleum geologist and engineer, Phil Porter died Oct. 1, 1998, after a long illness. His wife, Doris, died Oct. 14, 1998. Sons Steve and Bob, daughter Sue, and grandson Phil David survive.

At Tulsa [Okla.] H.S., Phil was on the track team, president of the Glee Club, a member of the Honor Society, and active in student government. He majored in chemistry at Princeton, where he was on the freshman crew and a member of Theatre Intime, the Glee Club, and Charter Club. He took a BS in geology at Oklahoma U. before becoming a consultant in oil and gas evaluation with DeGolyer & MacNaughton in Dallas.

He was discharged as a lieutenant (s.g.) in the Navy, having served with the Office of Procurement and Materiel and on the Army-Navy Munitions Board in Washington. He went back to DeGolyer & MacNaughton, rising to president of their foreign subsidiary. By 1979 he had his own office as petroleum consultant. His work as petroleum geologist spanned six decades all over the world; he retired in 1994.

Phil was active in many societies, and his community work included substitute teaching science and math in Dallas public schools. His 50th wedding anniversary celebration in 1990 included five of the six bridesmaids.

The Class of 1937