W. Philip Cotton Jr. ’54

Born in Columbus, Mo., he graduated from Hickman High School. At Princeton, he majored in architecture. His college activities were many and diverse. After graduation, he spent two years in the artillery service in Germany.  

Phil earned a degree in architecture from the Graduate School of Design at Harvard in 1960. His career made him one of St. Louis’ early preservation pioneers. He was part of the group that created Heritage/St. Louis. He drafted the outline of the statewide preservation organization and was committed to neighborhood preservation.

Phil was an avid watercolorist. His love of sailing his 16-foot Comet resulted in his winning the governor’s cup in that fleet. The class is honored by his outstanding career.