Lt. Col Joseph Philip Cline USAF Retired
Phil Cline passed away peacefully with family present on December 14, 2017 after battling dementia for the last several years. Phil had a fulfilling and successful life filled with his great loves: Alice "Penny" Cline his beloved wife of 32 years, family, friends, flying, and golf.
Phil was born May 13, 1933 in Los Angeles, CA to parents Joseph Carroll and Dorothy Pearl Cline. He grew up in Los Angeles and then Kansas City with his parents and younger sister, Carol Ann. Phil attended the University of Colorado and graduated from the University of Missouri with a degree in marketing. He had fond memories of his time in the Sigma Chi fraternity chapters at both universities. Phil was a member of the Air Force ROTC in college and received his commission on the day of his graduation in 1955. He continued his education while in the USAF and received his MBA from the University of Oklahoma in 1971.Phil loved to fly so much that when he completed Air Force pilot training in 1956 he stayed in AF training command as an instructor pilot so he could get more flying hours than he would have in front line fighters at the time. Later he was selected to be transitioned to the brand new F-4 Phantom due to his skill and flight experience. His new squadron was the first Air Force F-4 unit sent into the Vietnam War in 1965. He flew 140 combat missions during his 1 year combat tour. After the war he specialized in flight safety. His last assignment was as the Air Force Safety Project Officer for all F-4s in the USAF. Phil retired in Redlands, CA in 1978 with the rank of Lt. Colonel. He had flown in the T-33, T-34, T-37, T-39, F-100, and his favorite plane, the F-4 Phantom. His awards include the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal (7 times) for combat experience, and many other ribbons and commendations. Phil was a member of the Red River Valley Fighter pilots association, which recognized those who flew missions into the most highly defended area in northern Vietnam during the war. After retirement from the Air Force in 1978 Phil continued his flying as an instructor pilot and charter pilot with Airline Transport Pilot rating. He flew as an FAA Flight Examiner for 10 years, giving over 1,000 check flights for Private, Commercial, Airline Transport Pilot, and Pilot Instructor certificates. Phil was active in Boy Scouts most of his life and has positively affected countless lives in his 40 years of service to the Boy Scouts of America. He attained the rank of Eagle Scout in his youth and then returned to scouting in 1975 when Jeff (Eagle Scout) and Steve joined Boy Scouts. Phil held the positions of Scoutmaster, Troop Committee Chairman, District Commissioner, and District Trainer over his 40 years of service as an adult Scout leader. Phil was awarded the prestigious Silver Beaver award for his many years of cheerful service to the Inland Empire Council. Steve followed in Phil's footsteps and is currently a Scoutmaster in San Diego. His grandson, Matt Cline is an Eagle Scout and grandson Jon Cline is currently completing his Eagle rank. His example lives on in the generations that follow. Phil married Barbara Ann Jones in February 7, 1959 and had sons Jeffrey Scott Cline and Steven Todd Cline. After 24 happy years of marriage Barbara passed away in 1983 after a long battle with cancer. On January 11, 1986 Phil married the love of his life, Alice "Penny" Micalef and added two grown children to his family. Barbara Micalef and Chuck Micalef were just as dear to him as Jeff and Steve. He was a fantastic father who often prioritized his family over career advancement. He also always went out of his way to support all four of his children, Jeff, Chuck, Barbara, and Steve. They all have very fond memories of him. Phil sang in the Redlands Master Chorale for many years and considered it the crowning achievement of his musical activities, which included chorale singing in high school and college, playing 1st chair clarinet, and being drum major and student director in his high school marching band. Phil and Penny enjoyed many close friendships and thousands of rounds of golf at the Redlands Country Club over the last 30 years. It has been the center of their social network. They made many wonderful memories there.
Phil is survived and missed by his beloved wife of 32 years, Penny, his sister Carol Ann Knott of Kansas City, his sons Jeff, Chuck, and Steve, and his daughter Barbara. He is also greatly missed by his grandchildren Jade and Jordan Micalef, Ryan and Lindsey Kuntz, and Matt and Jon Cline.
Phil Cline was an Executive Board Member of the CIEC and later on become a member of the Advisory Council.
A memorial service was held at the Redlands Congregational Church on January 7th at 2:00pm. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the charity of your choice
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Your gift to the Memorial and Tribute Fund is a way for you to recognize a special occasion and/or person. It can be a job promotion, presentation of the Eagle Scout Award or the Adult Volunteer Leader Scouting Awards, a birthday or anniversary, a Bar Mitzvah or Confirmation, or to honor the memory of a friend or family member.
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To make a contribution to the California Inland Empire Council Memorial and Tribute Fund, fill out the gift form, and mail the form to California Inland Empire Council, BSA, PO BOX 8910, Redlands, CA 92375-2110. If you have any questions you may contact Ricci Dula Assistant Scout Executive/COO at 909-793-2463 ext.118 or e-mail: ricci.dula@scouting.org. Click Here for Tribute Form
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