Philip James Kircher

Philip James Kircher Passed away March 4, 2012 at his home in Sonoma. He was born to Agnes and Charles Kircher on May 21, 1932 and grew up in Tiburon. He graduated from Tamalpais High School in 1950. He joined the Navy in 1951 and became an engineman, hard hat diver and tug pilot. Next he worked as a pile driver. Kirch successfully owned and operated Avila & Kircher Excavators until 1969. He then became a commercial fisherman working the Northern California coast catching salmon and tuna. Later, he moved to Hopland where he owned and operated The Keg. Phil was always ready with a funny story and was the life of the party. He was an avid abalone diver with Reef Runner's once encountering a shark while diving with buddies near the Farralon Islands. He was a member of the Tamalpais Motorcycle Club. Phil was a pilot who built the wings of his airplane in his living room. He served as a volunteer fire-fighter with the Tiburon Fire Dept. As a hard-top race car driver, Phil won many races at the Petaluma Fair Grounds and Antioch Speedway. Surviving Phil are his long-time companion Holly Dunbar, her son Duncan Dunbar, his children Susan Kircher, Janet Kircher (Ron Touhey), Michael Kircher (Dorothy Roat), grandchildren: Anica Lehmann; Erin Weimar; Jeffrey Amtoft; James Phillips; Leah Phillips and Brandy Kircher, and seven great-grandchildren. Phillip was predeceased by his parents Charles and Agnes, four sisters, three brothers and his son Rolf Charles Kircher. Memorial services will be Saturday, March 10, 2012, at 1:00 PM, at Keaton's Mortuary in San Rafael.

Arrangements under the direction of Keaton's Mortuary, San Rafael, CA.