Philip Jacob Breidenbach

09/27/1927 - 01/27/2025

Phil Breidenbach, age 97, of Grand Junction, Colorado passed away peacefully at his home under hospice care on January 27, 2025, surrounded by his family: daughter Melinda Catapano, his partner Michelle Dvoryak, and her son Michael Dvoryak.

Phil was born September 25, 1927 in Plankinton, South Dakota, to Philip Jacob Breidenbach Sr. and Clara (Johnson) Breidenbach. Raised in nearby Mitchell, he was the youngest of four children (Gaylene, Clayton, and Joyce).

He was a proud WWII Seabee in the U.S. Navy, serving as a Construction Electrician’s Mate Third in Okinawa. He subsequently attended college in Mitchell, SD where he met and married Lois “Rocki” Hilburn. Together they raised five children: Samuel, Harlan, Melinda, Wesley, and Melanie; sadly, Philip Kim died in infancy.

He worked throughout the Western U.S. as an airplane mechanic and electrician before settling in Fremont, California in 1957. He transitioned to aerospace electrician at Lockheed, and earned his degree in accounting.

The family broke up in 1973 when Rocki joined Peoples Temple, and Phil moved with Melinda and Wesley to Glenwood Springs, CO. In 1974 Melinda and Wesley joined the Temple, while Phil returned to Glenwood. He did taxes for a local accountant and met his partner of 48 years, Michelle Dvoryak. He later managed and maintained buses for the school district.

In 1976 he was visiting in CA when Melinda left the Temple, and together they returned to CO. In 1978 they were devastated to learn that Rocki, Wesley, and Melanie had perished in Jonestown, Guyana.

Phil retired and moved with Michelle to Grand Junction, CO in 1989. After completing extensive work on their home, he began traveling the world, often with Michelle. Having already visited all 50 states, he eventually traveled to 102 countries, all seven continents, the north and south poles, and even around the world in a single trip. However, Phil always said his favorite place was his own backyard with its stunning view of the Colorado National Monument. He worked out at a local gym four days a week and walked the mile home until he was 92. Until the end, he enjoyed crossword and jumble puzzles before morning coffee at the Mesa Mall McDonald’s.

Known as a deep thinker, Phil was particularly interested in macroeconomics, history, and current events. One can only imagine the galactic conversations he is having with old and new friends now!

Smart. Funny. Humble. Thoughtful. Kind. Caring. Empathetic. Calm. Stoic. A beloved Warrior. Best Dad and coolest guy on the planet. Deeply and forever loved, never forgotten.

In his own words: “I can’t imagine having lived a better life, mostly on my own terms despite the randomness of it all. I have now done most everything on my bucket list, and good enough is good enough. Ready for my next adventure.”

Please join us in wishing Phil fair winds and following seas in his next exciting adventures among the stars.

Ave atque vale, Phil — until we meet again!

💜💔💜