Philip Lee Rothbart, age 92, passed away peacefully on December 3, 2023. A devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend, Phil was an accomplished doctor and lawyer who lived life to the fullest until his passing.
Phil was born in New York, New York, in 1931, where he attended the Bronx High School of Science. He received his B.A. from the University of Oklahoma, his M.D. from the University of Bonn, Germany, and later his J.D. from the Delaware Law School of Widener University. He served in the United States Army, stationed in France.
Phil and his wife of 51 years, Mathilde, met in Germany and began their life in Wilmington, Delaware, with their daughter Marion in 1960. After then serving as Associate Medical Director for the Squibb Institute for Medical Research in New Jersey for three years, they returned to Wilmington where Phil opened his private medical practice. He served his many patients with dedication for over three decades and was an active member of the Medical Society of Delaware, serving on many boards and on numerous other medical committees and organizations in Delaware.
While living in the Wilmington, Delaware, and Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, communities, Phil enjoyed time in his gardens, the golf course and with his family and many friends. He was a member of the Fieldstone Golf Club, the University and Whist Club and the Wilmington Club.
Phil began a second career when he attended law school at night, while his daughter attended during the day. Phil was a top student and member of the Law Review and enjoyed his new academic pursuits while continuing to practice medicine full time. Upon graduation, he was admitted to the Bars of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and the District of Columbia. Phil and Marion then opened their own law practice in Media, Pennsylvania, while Phil was still practicing medicine. Phil also served as an Adjunct Professor of Law, and then later as a Visiting Professor of Law, at his alma mater, the Delaware Law School, also teaching courses at the programs abroad in Geneva, Switzerland. Phil later joined the law firm of Maron Marvel as Of Counsel. He was fulfilled by his work and the many wonderful relationships he forged, continuing his work with the firm until his death.
After the passing of his wife, Mattie, Phil was fortunate to meet Valerie Anton, who became his devoted wife of over fifteen years. He and Valerie left Kennett Square for life in Florida, enjoying the beautiful weather, meeting new friends and spending time at the Palm Beach Yacht Club. They created beautiful homes and memories before moving north a bit to a home in the lake country of Georgia where they adopted two Havanese pups, Tyler and Nick. Their adventures allowed them to, again, meet many new friends and explore new areas. They returned to Delaware to be closer to their families earlier this year. Phil enjoyed his gardens, watching the many types of waterfowl on their ponds and seeing other animals roam on acres of beautiful open land while still maintaining his robust work schedule.
Phil is predeceased by his wife of 51 years, Mathilde Linden and brother, Alan. He is survived by his wife, Valerie, and their pup Nicky, his daughter, Marion, and her husband, Michael, his granddaughter, Sarah Culver, and her husband Nicholas, his stepson, Steve Perrin, and his wife, Renee, and their two sons, Steve and Christopher, sisters in law, Marie Stonehill, Donna Anton, Nancy Anton, and brothers in law, Mark Anton and Thomas Anton, Jr., his nieces and nephews, Ashleigh, Stephen, Adam and Saige, and his family in Germany, Rainer and Waltraut Gangelhoff, Bettina, Christian and Lilly and many other grandnieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 11 am on January 15, 2024, at Christ Church Christiana Hundred, 505 Buck Rd., Wilmington, DE 19807. The family will receive friends at a reception following the service.
In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions in Phil’s name to Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Wounded Warriors, Tunnel to Towers Foundation, or the Delaware Humane Society.
