QUINCY — Father Philibert Hoebing, OFM, of Sunset Home and Holy Cross Friary, died Dec. 5 in Sunset Home. He was 91.
He was born July 2, 1923 in Melrose Township Adams County to Mary (Wand) and Frank Hoebing. He entered the Franciscan Order on Aug. 19, 1942 and was ordained a Franciscan priest on June 25, 1950 in Teutopolis by Bishop William A. O'Connor. He celebrated his first Mass at his home parish: St. Anthony Parish in Quincy. He was then assigned to teach philosophy at Quincy College (now University) in 1952.
His passion for teaching logic, ethics, environmental ethics, bioethics and medieval philosophy lasted for over 55 years. He was philosopher emeritus for the college from 1998 through 2008, when he retired at age 85. He was the only Franciscan who spent as many years at QU as an educator.
Father Phil's passion for philosophy led him to become a national promoter of "Philosophy for Children" under the guidance of Dr. Matthew Lipman at Montclair State University. Father Phil believed in empowering children and adults to think critically and creatively. His work in environmental ethics, bioethics and philosophy were recognized around the nation.
Additionally, Father Phil was an active member in the Missouri Folklore Society after being inspired by Henry Hyatt, who wrote Folklore for Adams County, Illinois. He began collecting local stories on fishing, hunting and colorful characters for the Tri-State Area. In 1997 he published Wildcat Whistle: Folklore, Fishing and Hunting Stories from the Mississippi River Valley.
Father Phil served as national spiritual director of the Western Catholic Union from 1998 until 2012. In 2002 he established a local chapter of The Socrates Café, which gathered once a month to dialogue on current issues. In his retirement he enjoyed fishing in the lakes of Missouri and taking walks around his beloved Quincy University campus.
In 2000, Father Phil received an honorary PhD from Quincy University and in 2002, he was honored by the Holy See with the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Award for his distinguished work in the Catholic Church.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and all six of his brothers and sisters: Anthony (Mary) Hoebing, Mary (Charles) Loos, Catherine (Lloyd) Aman Leo (Jean) Hoebing, Sister Vivian Hoebing, OSF, and Clarence Hoebing; and his nephews James, Joe and Charlie Hoebing.
Father Phil was an uncle to many and he is survived by many beloved nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews and great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated in the Quincy University Chapel on Dec. 12. Memorials are suggested to the Father Philibert Hoebing Scholarship Fund at Quincy University. Burial was in Calvary Cemetery in Quincy. The Duker & Haugh Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.