Phil Delbert Piatt

Phil Delbert Piatt was born in Hamilton, Kansas on November 5, 1932, son of Ruth E. Milliken Piatt and Phil Piatt Sr. who passed away in October of the same year. Mrs. Ruth Piatt studied at Emporia State Teachers’ College and University of Colorado. She was a career artist and teacher in Coffeyville, KS.

Phil graduated at the top of his high school class and then received his associates degree from Coffeyville Junior College. During this time, he also won the Kansas state individual golf championship two years in a row and was an avid golfer for his entire active adult life.

Under the Naval Reserve Officer Training program, Phil received a full college scholarship and attended the University of Kansas where he graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering. He was a member of Sigma Tau and Tau Beta Pi honorary engineering fraternities and Theta Tau, the professional engineering fraternity. After graduating, Phil was assigned to the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Valley Forge based in Norfolk, VA for three years. While his ship operated out of Norfolk, Phil met Virginia Best and they were married on June 15, 1957.

Upon release from active Navy duty, Phil and Virginia moved to Topeka, KS where Phil began his career in civil engineering, first as an independent consultant, then as Assistant City Engineer for the City of Topeka.

Phil and his family relocated in 1976 where he became the City Engineer of Overland Park, KS. He was a visionary in the expansion, design and safety of the city of Overland Park. During Phil’s career, he also earned a Master of Public Administration and received the ASPA Stanley Fisher Graduate Student Award for outstanding MPA students. He was a member of Pi Sigma Alpha and National Political Science Honor Society.

Phil and Virginia raised four children, Steve, Joe, Sharon and Linda. Phil was a loving, kind, and gentle father who offered unwavering support. He was also an active member of the Presbyterian community serving in the choir and as a deacon at church.

Phil retired from his work as City Engineer for Overland Park in 1996 and enjoyed a fulfilling retirement. Phil and Virginia were devoted grandparents to their 6 grandchildren, traveled extensively and remained active in the church. Phil enjoyed spending his free time on hobbies such as golf, gardening, cooking, fine woodworking, poetry and musical composition.

Phil was preceded in death by his wife Virginia Best Piatt; son Joseph Piatt and his brother John Piatt and wife Elora Piatt. Phil is survived by his son Stephen Piatt living in Kansas City, MO; daughter Sharon Stirling, her partner Bobby Kirkland and her children Kasey and Shawn Stirling, and Dalton Kirkland living in Bonner Springs, KS, and Collin Stirling and his wife Savannah living in Kansas City, KS; daughter Linda Piatt, her husband Michael Hack and their children Darren and Audrey living in San Diego, CA; and two nephews Mike Piatt and James Piatt and their families living in TX.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to the Alzheimer's Foundation in memory of Phil Piatt to support caregiving and research towards a cure: https://alzfdn.org/donate