C.A. Philippe von Hemert, 89, of Friendship, died July 6 at Pen Bay Medical Center in Rockport. He was born Aug. 28, 1922 in New York City to A. Philippe von Hemert and Routh Ogden von Hemert. Phil attended the Buckley Schools and St. Marks School, and was a graduate of Princeton University in the class of 1944. He was an ensign in the U.S. Navy during WWII serving from 1943 to 1946.
He married Edith Child Bancroft in 1944 and together they had three sons, Philippe, David and Peter.
He worked as a chemical safety engineer for Pennwalt Corporation, just outside Philadelphia, for 34 years from 1947 until he retired in 1981. Phil enjoyed traveling, fashioning solutions to problems, discovering history, sharing with the community, sailing, and being with his family.
The restorative powers of the sea brought him and his family to Friendship in the early 70s. He and his guests enjoyed many a sail on his sloop, Chimera.
He married his beloved, Mary Edge Merrill von Hemert on Oct. 9, 2004.
He was a life member of the V.F.W. Post #3095, life member of the Society of Safety Engineers, a member of the New York State Society of the Cincinnati, and was chosen in 2010 as the Cincinnatus of the Year.
He was predeceased by his beloved first wife, Edith, who died in 2001; and brother, the Rev. John von Hemert, who died in 1996.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Mary Edge von Hemert of Friendship; sons, Philippe von Hemert and wife Susan of Dover, N.H., David von Hemert and wife Madeleine of Providence, R.I., and Peter Amato-von Hemert and his wife Katherine of Denver, Col.; grandchildren, Sara Dachelet and husband Paul of Wis., Johanna Byrd and husband Dr. David Byrd of Michigan, Anne von Hemert of New York, Charlotte von Hemert of California, Jennifer Amato-von Hemert of Colorado, and Michael Amato-von Hemert of Nevada; and great-grandchildren, Nicholas Dachelet, Edith Byrd, Charlotte Byrd, and David Philippe Roger Byrd.
Memorial service to celebrate his life 2 p.m., Wed., July 11 at the Episcopal Church of St. John Baptist, 200 Main St., Thomaston. The Rev. Peter Jenks and Rev. Robert Dorr will officiate.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Phil’s memory may be made to the Friendship Public Library, P.O. Box 39, Friendship, ME 04547 or Habitat For Humanity, 121 Habitat St., Americus, GA 31709-3498.
You are invited to share your condolences with the family by visiting their Book of Memories at www.hallfuneralhomes.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to the Hall Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 949 Main St., Waldoboro.
