Obituary: Philip L. Zweifel, Ph.D.

Philip L. Zweifel, Ph.D., of Waukesha, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2011, at Seasons Hospice, at the age of 65 years.  He was born Aug. 14, 1946, in Madison, the son of Edward and Creola Zweifel.  Phil married the love of his life, Deborah (Beczkalo) Zweifel, on June 10, 1972.

Dr. Zweifel began teaching English at UW-Waukesha in 1976, and since 1995, he has also served as associate campus dean. He attended Edgewood High School in Madison (1963), Saint John’s University in Minnesota (1967) and the University of Wisconsin-Madison (Ph.D. in American literature, 1975). His special interests included poetry, creative writing, the works of Mark Twain, the music of Bob Dylan and golf. And being an avid golfer, he was very proud of making two holes-in-one in his lifetime. He enjoyed First Fridays at the Hilltop Pub, never missing one in more than 30 years. Phil was a Wisconsin sports fan, rooting for the Packers, Brewers and Badgers.

Phil will be sadly missed by his children, Matthew (Emily) Zweifel of Chicago, IL, and Sarah Zweifel of Waukesha, WI; his grandson, Brian Zweifel; parents, Edward and Creola (Duppler) Zweifel of Madison, WI; and sister, Margaret (Steve) Martin of Madison, WI.  He is further survived by other relatives, many friends and colleagues.  Phil is preceded in death by his wife, Deborah.

The visitation for Phil will be held from 11 a.m. until the 2 p.m. Remembrance Service on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012, at the UW-Waukesha Campus Hub, 1500 N. University Drive, Waukesha, WI 53188.  Memorials appreciated to the Philip L. Zweifel Memorial Scholarship, c/o UW-Waukesha Foundation, 1500 N. University Drive, Waukesha, WI 53188.

is serving the family.  For an online obituary or to leave a condolence, please visit http://www.WaukeshasFuneralHome.com, or call 262-542-6609.