Wow this is a sad occasion. I was shocked and am so sorry to hear this. I only spoke to him about parts once. Incredibly helpful guy! A loss for the whole community.

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1978 Mercedes 240D
1981 Mercedes 240D
1982 Mercedes 240D

RIP Phil... Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

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Shocking news. Phil was great to work with, the most patient person ever always willing to help. Rest in peace.

He gave everything.
Phil did not have life insurance.
Due to multiple issues the estate is a used car + the rural Idaho house his son, daughter-in-law, and grand daughter live in.

The full load has landed on his daughter and son.

He never asked anything for himself, please help his children with funeral expenses.
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/331373-phils-funeral-fund-everyone-please-read.html

Thank you all.
.

I'm automatically subscribed to all threads on which I post. So I read and feel and am again moved to write about someone who was to me a friend, in the "Benz Buds" category of my friends.

Someone whom I talked to, who helped me, whose word I took for fact. The support I got from Phil and Roy as a team pulled me thru the "hump" of my learning curve that began about one year ago. I jumped into this world of MB 's head first and they helped me to believe in myself that I could succeed in fixing and mastering my Benz.

I feel I have done well, by the grace of all of YOU here....so far.

Phil perhaps most of all. I re-did my front brakes and wheel bearings and gave my car a major tune up. I fixed my own transmission...a marvel for a non "car guy" of moderate mechanical experience. I swapped almost a whole interior, save the dash for now pending the AC job. I have done many things on my car and am currently in the middle of the biggest job it likely has seen..and for sure that I have done. On which I had spoken to Phil numerous times about, going months back about the chain and tensioner...and again recently before I purchased the parts.

He had been helping me prepare for the front end job, yes the WHOLE front end. We discussed my concerns over which brands to go with on certain parts and he IMHO saved me from error a few times, guiding me to brands I wouldn't have considered and away from brands he had "seen come back"

Phil had a confident, credible opinion to lean on. His attitude was always encouraging and "I'm here to help you get whats best for you". Even when I told him it was low priority he made sure to email me a part number list if it was the last thing he did for the day.

He was a do-er. I respect that.

Phil was a trusted adviser, not just to me, but to many people here on peachparts...I know the company will have to find someone to serve in his place...but his attitude, demeanor and personality will be forever missed.

**Respect and Appreciation**

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-SpecialDelivery
1985 300CD Silver/Blue H&R Suspension (Sold, still cryin over that)
1982 300SD Silver/Blue '85 OM617 (Sold)
1982 300D - Blue/Blue (Sold)

As usual, I have been busy working and traveling and did not see the message about Phil's passing. Roy Hunter called me and gave me the news. I am shocked.

Phil was a great guy who always made time to talk whenever you called, went out of his way to contact you after placing an order and caught errors in orders if you ordered the wrong part for your car. Phil was one of those gifted people who seemed to be able to make life long friends in a matter of minutes. He will be missed.

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Mike Tangas
'73 280SEL 4.5 (9/72)- RIP
Only 8,173 units built from 5/71 thru 11/72

'02 CLK320 Cabriolet - wifey's mid-life crisis

2012 VW Jetta Sportwagon TDI...at least its a diesel

Non illegitemae carborundum.

Rest in peace, PHil. You are and will be missed.

Always helpful, personable and respectful.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

As many have said, and I concur, Phil has been wonderful to work with when ordering parts. I don't know how Pelican will get along without him. I did not know him personally, but I can tell by what his family and this community has said about him, that he was a loving, caring, and wonderful person. Part of a quote from the first post: "He loved Jesus, his family,......" gives us peace in knowing that Phil is HOME with his heavenly father in heaven......Rich

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All Diesel Fleet
1985 R107 300SLD TURBODIESEL
2005 E320 CDI (daily)

LOTS of parts for sale!


EGR block kit
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/355250-sale-egr-delete-block-off-plate-kit.html

1985 CA emissions 617 owners- You Need This!
Sanden style A/C Compressor Mounting Kit for your 616/ 617 For Sale + Install Inst.

Sanden Instalation Guide (post 11):
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/367883-sanden-retrofit-installation-guide.html

So shocked to hear of his passing.

I met Phil at Alain's father's house in Beverly Hills at a GTG quite a while ago. He looked exactly like he did in that picture.

61 is just too damn young.

He was really a nice and friendly guy in person. I know what Jennifer means when she says he never met a stranger.

RIP Phil, RIP.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

RIP Phil ,may fair winds and following seas take you on your journey home .

Some very beautiful comments on this thread...all well-deserved.

I may not post a lot on this forum, but I joined in May 2006 when I was 16 years old and learning to work on cars. Since then, I try to visit every few days and read the latest threads. The expert opinions of Fastlane Phil, MB DOC, whunter...so many others...have taught me so much about cars. More importantly, their creative solutions, sound advice, and genuine encouragement have given me courage to tackle any project. The forum feels like an extended internet family--even though most of us have never met. Phil's death is so sad to me because I feel like I took Phil's kindness and willingness to help for granted until it was too late. His memory will be eternal.

Luke

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1982 300D-T (sold)
1988 300E (sold)
1994 E320 Wagon (sold)
1995 E320
1998 E300D-T
1999 E3204M Wagon
2001 E320
2005 E320 CDI

Imagine if each of our 61,000 members only donated a single $1.

Phil's family is in need. Its truly OUR time to step up.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/331373-phils-funeral-fund-everyone-please-read.html

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1985 300D 198K sold
1982 300D 202K
1989 300E 125K
1992 940T

"If you dont have time to do it safely, you dont have time to do it"

"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not."

Sorry to hear of Phil's passing. He helped me several times with parts and advice. He certainly made a lot of friends in his work, and we will miss him.
I tried to donate, but it would not take either of my cards; is something wrong?
RR

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Providing a home for these cars:
1951 Buick Special De Luxe
1977 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith II
1970 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow
1986 Mercedes-Benz 420 SEL
2005 Mercedes-Benz E 320 CDI
2012 GMC Sierra 1500 4X4
1927 Pierce-Arrow Series 80
1931 Pierce-Arrow Series 43
1926 Ford Model T coupe

I really really wish I had spare cash to send off phil in the style he deserves. I will look around to see what I can sell off to donate.

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hum.....
1987 300TD 311,000M Stolen. Presumed destroyed

I'm going to toss in a few bucks tomorrow. He was a big help dealing with my last order with pelican regarding the incorrect vacuum pump brand being sent and what was listed on the website.