Phil was my best friend in High School. He had charisma, brains and a great wit. He was kind and curious too. Alas, we drifted apart over the years, which I now really regret. 

The last time I saw him was when the Dalai Lama came to Bloomington in 2003 and we were both in attendance. Phil spotted me and came over to say hi. We spoke briefly and he mentioned his illness.

I appreciate the details in the obituary, and that Phil seemed to have found some peace towards the end.

Phil and I were classmates from Binford Middle School in Bloomington, Indiana, through senior year at Bloomington South High School.

In Seventh Grade, we studied the Greek Myths, and Phil built a mobile of Apollo’s chariot, blazing across the sky. When we were assigned term papers, Phil seemed to welcome the intellectual challenge and the chance to learn about new topics.

When my brothers Bob, Tom, and I joined the High School track team, it was the wittiest group of people I had ever been a member of.  The jokes, one-liners, and laughs were constant during our workouts, no matter how grueling, as we ran countless miles through the city streets and back roads, and nobody was funnier than Phil.

In 1978, Phil and I were roommates at the High School Summer Science Institute, sponsored by Indiana University to allow high school students to serve as interns at various scientific laboratories on campus. Phil was assigned to the Anthropology Department, where he studied an ancient tooth from some hominid ancestor, and was able to make observations about the diet and habits of the hominid through analyzing cross sections of the tooth.

At the high school reunion in 2000, my wife and I caught up with Phil and met Caryn for the first time. The wit and the intellectual curiosity were still there as strong as ever, but Phil’s focus was now devoted to the family he clearly treasured.

Phil was like no one else I ever met.  He touched many people, and we are lucky to have known him.

To the Guba, Blaugrund and Mass families,  I am deeply sorry for your losses of Phil Guba DDS and JD, Jack Blaugrund ( my uncle) and Spencer Mass MD  (my half brother).....  I never met Phil Guba DDS, JD but what a tremendous loss to society AS well as a TRAGEDY to build such a successful life and career and not be able to enjoy retirement with your wife caryn and children as well as your colleagues and friends. Life is short and fragile and I share in your losses and grief with all your family members.

HEARTFELT REGARDS 

STUART I MASS 

Caryn

So sorry for your loss. 

I’m so sorry for your loss. Phil always brought us laughs in technique lab SBO4. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers 

Lesley Gilbert Schinbeckler 

Great tribute to a great man who lived life on his own terms . I respected him so much for his insistence on good things for all people.  The world is not as good a place without my friend Phil.

Marc Stoner

Hi Cuz,

To you, Kelsey, Taylor & Auntie, I loved Phil as more than just a cousin, he was a true friend. I will always keep him in my heart and in my memories. I will always cherish the times we had together whether it was going shopping for something neither of us really needed, or to have a great breakfast at Berryfresh. Phil was truly a different kind of person, that once you got to know him, you could not help but to love him. I love you all.

I am so sorry to hear about Phil, Caryn. He is a great man and always will be. 

Dan Mull 

Caryn, Kelsey and Taylor, I'm very sorry to hear about Phil.  He was definitely one of a kind and I enjoyed his quick wit and sense of humor.  I know if Phil was reading this he'd agree,  and get a chuckle, he was the meanest dad.  My best to you all as you go through this time.

Vincent