While at home with his beloved wife and son, our dear husband, brother, father, and grandfather, Philip Charles Van Alstyne (59), drifted through the veil on December 1, 2017, following nearly a year of intensive brain cancer treatment. Born to Arvo and Ruth Lamb Van Alstyne on October 16, 1958 in Los Angeles, Calif., and later raised in Salt Lake City, Utah from 1966, Phil was ever the charmer, even as a child, and would always make friends throughout his family's travels. Years later, he diligently wrote letters to his sweetheart, Brooke Moench, through his LDS mission in Chicago, Ill. They were sealed for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake City temple on June 20, after his return, in 1981. He received a B.S. in Economics at the University of Utah, and his J.D. at J. Reuben Clark Law School. After their first son Benjamin was born, they moved to Las Vegas, Nev. in 1987, where Brooke later gave birth to their second, Joseph.
Phil was an astute attorney that enjoyed litigation, and was perpetually working on home improvement projects. His absolute favorite pastimes also included skiing, tennis, horseback riding (with Brooke), cooking, watching F1 racing, and he was an avid triathlete. He also had a deep appreciation of the gospel of Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father. He most recently served as Bishop of the Lakes Ward in the Las Vegas, Nevada, Lakes Stake. He cared very deeply about his ward family. His love for sport, law, and religion connected him and his wife to lifelong family friends for which they are forever grateful. He will be remembered for his witty sense of humor‚much of which he learned from his father Arvo‚as well as his unending compassion for humanity, and for his love of his family and of the Savior.
He is survived by his wife, Brooke, 2 sons, Ben (Wendi), and Joe, and 3 grandchildren, Arvo, Anson, and Katheryn, whom he considered Heaven on Earth. He is also survived by his siblings, David (Annie), Peter (Mary Ann), Laura Rowland (Dave), Sara Robinson (Bruce), Kristina Holladay (Clark). Preceded in death by his parents.
Funeral services will be held Monday, December 11 at 11 am at the Monument Park Stake Center (1320 S. Wasatch Dr.). Viewings will be Sunday from 6-8 pm at Larkin Sunset Lawn (2350 E 1300 S) and Monday from 9:30 - 10:30 am at the church. Interment at Larkin Sunset Lawn.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Arvo Van Alstyne Memorial Scholarship at the University of Utah College of Law.
The family is especially grateful to the medical staff and caregivers throughout Phil's journey for their excellent and compassionate care of our husband and father.
