Philip John Herter

January 4, 1949 - July 20, 2025

Phil passed peacefully in the early morning of July 20, 2025 at his home in Seattle, WA surrounded by family. After a sudden cancer diagnosis in June, he returned home under hospice care. He was 76 ½ years of age.

Born in Philadelphia on January 4, 1949 to parents Bp. Theophilus John Herter and Ruth Lillian (Birbeck) Herter, Phil grew up outside Philadelphia and attended Delaware County Christian School K-12, class of 1966.

Phil attended one year of seminary then continued his education at The Pennsylvania State University, earning his degree in Journalism, class of 1971. Phil was a member of the Chi Phi fraternity and played men's rugby.

While at Penn State he studied abroad in Köln, Germany. Phil met Cindy (Margaret Lucinda Davis) at the passport office prior, paving the way for their many years of travel together. They married on December 30, 1972 in Havertown, PA in his father’s church and as the officiant.

Together they moved to Germany and traveled around Europe, then returned to the U.S. living in Harrisburg, Virginia and Cleveland, Ohio. Phil worked at various newspapers in Germany and the U.S. before making his way with Cindy across the country and settling in Seattle, Washington in 1977.

Phil and Cindy lived at various locations in Seattle on Queen Anne Hill, settling into their forever home in 1986, where they raised two children, Cara (b.1981) and Danny (b. 1984).

Phil had a variety of careers after journalism, working as a shipbuilding welder in Seattle. He returned to school, getting a vocational degree in biomedical engineering then landing his capstone career in hospital and sterilizer equipment as a technician, regional manager, and salesman for Amsco and Steris.

Always interested in education, he earned his Advance Teaching Certificate in ESL. After retirement Phil and Cindy taught English in Istanbul, Lithuania, and at various English language academies in Seattle. Then when substitute teachers were needed, Phil worked for Seattle Public Schools from 2021 to 2025.

Phil is survived by his wife of 52 years, Cindy Herter; daughter, Cara Mattera; son, Danny Herter; and two grandsons, Odin and Oscar Mattera. He was a beloved son, husband, father, Pop-Pop, cousin, teacher and friend.

Throughout his life all the way to his final year he enjoyed traveling, hiking, skiing, biking, playing tennis, and cheering on Eagles, Seahawks, and Nittany Lions football; and Seattle Mariners and Phillies baseball. His enjoyment for learning is evident in his recreational pursues including taking abacus classes, self-taught (re)-learning the recorder, and practicing juggling - all in his 70’s!

Phil contributed to trail building with WTA, and other philanthropic causes for education, humanity and the environment. He also donated over 8 gallons of blood to our community blood supply.

A Celebration of Life memorial service is planned in Seattle and live streamed via virtual link, on January 4, 2026, his 77th birthday.

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