Phillip Edward Bargman was born in El Paso on June 10, 1929 and passed away on May 20, 2013. His father was a Colonel in the U.S. Army resulting in the family moving regularly. Phil attended schools throughout the country, including El Paso High, Peacock Military Academy and graduated from Balboa High School in the Panama Canal Zone. His first year of college was spent at Wentworth Military Academy, but then he enrolled at Stanford University, graduating in 1950 with a Degree in Economics. He went on to attend the University of Texas School Of Law, receiving his Law Degree in 1953. Following graduation, he entered the U.S. Air Force JAG Reserve for 2 years where he served as Defense and Trial Counsel and as the Legal Advisor on Military Boards. In 1955 he returned to El Paso to establish his sole practice of law specializing in real estate and commercial law, probate, business law and contracts; and when required, he did trial work and also served as Municipal Court Judge. He remained active in the Military Reserve serving as Jag Air Force Coordinator West El Paso and New Mexico, and in 1989 he retired as Colonel, receiving the Meritorious Service Medal.
Phillip was Chairman of the Membership Committee of the El Paso Bar Association; served as Director and Vice-President of El Paso Trial Lawyers Association; served for 25 years as Board Member and Chairman of District 17 Committee on Admissions for the State Bar of El Paso; and was honored by the El Paso Bar Association as a “50 Year Lawyer”. He was President of the Stanford Alumni Association in El Paso as well as the TKE Fraternity Alumni Association and was honored as a Master Mason for 50 years his involvement in civic organizations include the Rotary club, the El Paso Legal Assistance Society Board of Directors, and in 1960 was President of the El Paso Heart Association, and also served as Chairman of the El Paso area Child Welfare Board. For a number of years he revised the El Paso Laws Section of the Rand McNally Banker’s Directory.
Phillip was a very active, longstanding member of the Intercity Group, dedicated to the co-operation and betterment of relations of the intertwined cities of El Paso and Juarez. This was one of his favorite involvements.
Phillip’s grandparents lived in Chihuahua, and he spent his childhood summers there, becoming totally fluent in the Spanish language and was as comfortable speaking Spanish as he was speaking English. He was one of a very few attorneys in El Paso who was bilingual at the time and acted as interpreter for many El Paso judges. While spending his summers in Chihuahua he was very fortunate to be able to be able to train and ride with the officers of the Mexican Calvary Regiment.
Phillip will be remembered for his love of family, his gentle smile and kind disposition, his integrity, and his unwavering dedication to the principle that “the rule of law must be upheld”. Phillip was married to Jane Spier for 44 years with whom he had three children and a wonderful life and is survived by numerous members of the Spier family.
After her death he met and married Judy Rothbardt, and they were able to travel and enjoy a new life together for several years before his illness. He was preceded in death by his parents, Saul and Claire Bargman, and is survived by his wife, Judy Rothbardt Bargman; his three children, Carolyn Bargman, Boulder, Colorado; Roberta (Michael) Walker, Denver, Colorado and Eric (Kim) Bargman, Minneapolis, Minnesota and his grandchildren, Micaela and Maya Walker and Elise and Claire Bargman. His extended family includes Ellen and Dr. Paul Gulbas, Jeff (Morgan) Gulbas, Lauren (Alan) Covey, Debra (Adir) Dolinar, Shale Gulbas, David Rothbardt, Rachel and Alex Rothbardt. Honorary pallbearers will be Michael Walker, Dr. Paul Gulbas, David Rothbardt, Jeffrey Gulbas, Shale Gulbas, Dr. Adir Doliner, and Dr. Werner Spier.
Graveside Services will be held on Thursday, May 23, 2013 at 11:00 AM at Temple Mt. Sinai Cemetery. The family wishes to thank his wonderful caregivers, Aurelia, Isela, Blanca, Dania, and Hospice El Paso. Contributions can be made to Temple Mt. Sinai, 4408 N Stanton; the Alzheimer’s Association, West El Paso Chapter, 4687 N. Mesa, or to a favorite charity. Services entrusted to Martin Funeral Home West, 128 N. Resler Dr., El Paso, Texas 79912. www.MartinFuneralHomeWest.com
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