Philip Kearney Kline passed away peacefully with family at his side, on February 19, 2014. He was 92.
"Big Phil" was a longtime public servant in Overland Park, Johnson County and the State of Kansas. He was an advocate for public education, caring for deaf and blind children and those mainstream (moderate) values he held for more than 35 years as an elected official (Republican precinct committeeman, school board member and State Representative in the Kansas Legislature). As a founding partner in the firm of Shafer and Kline, Civil Engineers, (today, Shafer, Kline and Warren), Phil was responsible for the design and survey work on many of the roads (cloverleaf intersections were a specialty), highways, sub-divisions and major commercial developments in the greater Kansas City area.
Phil was predeceased by his parents, Kearney and Ruth (Bevins) Kline, brother, Jack, sister, Doris Thomas, and first wife, Jean.
He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Ruthie, children, Phil II (Madelyn), Jack (Nancy) and Julie (John) Postlewait, six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Following his retirement, Phil ("Large") continued his successful quest to visit all 50 State Capitals as well as traveling to all seven continents. Many knew of his fervent support of college basketball, primarily the Louisville Cardinals and Kentucky Wildcats, but only his close friends knew he was a member of Adolph Rupp's 1940 freshman team at the University of Kentucky. What he lacked in speed, he made up with vocal support each new season. Then Coach Rick Pitino honored Phil with a UK team jersey on his 75th birthday.
Private family interment. A celebration of Phil's life will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 24, at Village Presbyterian Church, 6641 Mission Road. A reception will follow. The service will be live-streamed at villagepres.org.
The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff at the University of Kansas Hospital, especially Dr. Stewart Babbott, Dr. Kevin Latinis, Dr. Barry Skikne and Dr. Lynn Kindred. The family suggests contributions to the church, where Phil was a member and served as an elder/trustee, or any other organization that celebrates the values Phil held.