November 4, 1947 – October 26, 2027

Phillip David Brockhaus, affectionately known as “Big Philly,” lived a life defined by love, generosity, faith, and an extraordinary ability to make everyone around him feel welcome. He never met a stranger, and to know him was to love him. Funny, kind, sharp-witted, and generous to a fault, Phil had a way of lighting up a room wherever he went. People were always happy to see him, and there was almost always a familiar face ready to greet them—and with one of his signature hugs. He had a larger-than-life personality and an even bigger heart, and the impact he made on those around him will never be forgotten.

Phil grew up in Norman, Oklahoma, on a dairy farm, where he learned the value of hard work but also knew how to play hard. Those early years helped shape the hardworking, determined, and sociable man he would become. He attended St. Joseph's Parochial School before moving on to University High School, where he met his best friend and many of the lifelong friends who would remain an important part of his life. Phil's ability to build lasting relationships began early, and those friendships became a recurring theme throughout his life.

Phil dedicated 50 years of his professional life to accounting as a longtime shareholder and owner of Peters & Chandler PC, retiring in July 2023. Throughout his distinguished career, he served on numerous boards and was an active and dedicated member of the Oklahoma Society of CPAs, serving in multiple officer roles. In 2008, he served as vice president before stepping into the organization's highest leadership role as President/Chairman for the 2010–2011 term.

On June 9, 2017, Phillip was inducted into the Oklahoma Accounting Hall of Fame, an honor he held especially close to his heart. In 2019, he was elected chairman of the University of Oklahoma School of Accounting Board of Advisors, further reflecting his commitment to his profession and the next generation of accounting professionals. His career was marked by dedication, leadership, and a deep commitment to the profession he loved.

Phil was also a member of PRG, a group of professionals who came together for networking and camaraderie. What began as professional connections grew into something much more meaningful. These men became close friends who shared not only their professional lives but also vacations, travels, and countless memories with their spouses. For Phil, friendship was never limited to the workplace. He had a gift for turning acquaintances into lifelong friends, and the relationships he built through PRG became another treasured part of his life.

While Phil's professional accomplishments were many, his greatest pride and joy were always found in the people he loved. His family was his world, and he spent his life making sure they had what they needed. More importantly, he made sure they never questioned how much they meant to him. Phil showed his love through his generosity, his unwavering support, and his presence in the lives of those closest to him.

Phillip's greatest love was his wife, Cindy, who was his world and his one true love. Throughout their 46 years of marriage, they stood beside one another through life's best moments and its hardest challenges. They were each other's greatest cheerleaders, always encouraging, supporting, and believing in one another. Even when disagreements arose, their love ran deeper than their differences, and they always found their way back to common ground. Their bond was built on a lifetime of shared experiences, unwavering commitment, and a love that nothing could come between. Cindy was his partner in every sense of the word, and the life they built together remained one of Phillip's greatest treasures.

Becoming a grandfather was one of the greatest joys of Phillip's life. He was there for Henry's birth, a moment he met with awe and immense pride, and his love for his grandchildren only grew from there. He treasured every opportunity to spend time with Henry and Hayden, simply hanging out and making memories whenever possible. He watched with pride and amazement as Hayden grew into the remarkable young woman she is today. More than anything, Phillip wanted more time with his grandchildren—to be present for the moments still to come, to watch them grow, and to see all the wonderful things their futures held. His love for Henry and Hayden was immeasurable, and being their grandfather was a role he cherished beyond words.

Some of Phillip's most treasured memories were made at South Padre Island, his family's home away from home. He loved traveling and making memories with dear friends, including the friends he made through his professional life, and later in life, solo trips with Randi became especially meaningful opportunities to spend time together. These experiences, along with the everyday moments shared with the people he loved, became treasured parts of a life filled with friendship, family, and connection.

A man of deep and lifelong faith, Phil was a member of St. Joseph's throughout his entire life. He remained deeply connected to the church and the community in which he had literally grown up. He served on boards and as a reader, but perhaps the role he cherished most was that of usher. Each week brought the opportunity to see familiar faces, welcome new ones, catch up with friends he had missed, and remain actively involved in the community that had been part of his life for so long. These moments brought him genuine happiness. For Phillip, serving his church was about more than fulfilling a role; it was about the people, the relationships, and the sense of belonging that came from being part of something he loved. His faith and his church family were woven into the fabric of his life, and he took great joy in continuing to show up for both.

Phil also loved sports. He played basketball and softball and shared that passion with his daughter by coaching many of Randi's teams as she grew up. Through those years, he gave her not only his time and encouragement but also memories that would become part of the lasting bond they shared.

Above all, Phil will be remembered as a devoted husband, loving father, proud grandfather, faithful servant, respected professional, and loyal friend. He was a man who worked hard, played hard, laughed often, welcomed everyone, and loved deeply. Whether through his leadership in his profession, his service to his church, his devotion to his family, or a simple hug that made someone feel at home, Phil left his mark on the lives of so many. His legacy lives on in the family he cherished, the friendships he nurtured from his school days through his professional life, the community he served, and the countless memories that will continue to bring smiles and comfort to those who loved him.

Phil is survived by his beloved daughter, Randi Brockhaus, and her husband, Nathan Poarch; his cherished grandchildren, Henry and Hayden Poarch; and his beloved “sister,” Kay Woods, and her family, all of Norman, Oklahoma, and his "brother," Paul Fahrenbruch and his family of Dallas, Texas.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Margarett Brockhaus, and his beloved wife of 46 years, Cindy Brockhaus.

Though his absence leaves an immeasurable space in the hearts of those who loved him, the love he gave, the lives he touched, and the unmistakable spirit of “Big Philly” will live on forever. He will be remembered not only for all he accomplished, but for how he made people feel: welcomed, valued, loved, and always happy to have crossed his path.

Service arrangements will be announced at a later date.

While flowers are appreciated, memorial donations may be made to Phillip's grandson, Henry's 529 Plan at www.ugift529.com using the code T72-645