In the Kroks of the mid-‘50s, we shared the same part, most often second tenor. I remember Philip as a warm, kind friend whose dry humor kept our spirits high. He was a highly respected gentleman, with all those qualities of honesty and caring which the term “gentleman” carried in the 1950s.
His solos were articulate and smooth, his bearing confident and charming. He epitomized what a “Harvard Man” represented in those days — integrity, loyalty, humility, wisdom, and humor. His passing saddens me and our generation of Krok friends.
-Hugh Fortmiller (H’56)
“Even though I could not read a note of music, if I heard a song more than once, I remembered the melody and the lyrics, and could sing the song. During my first year, I sang in the Harvard Glee Club, but found it demanded too much time away from my studies. Instead, I auditioned for and was selected to join a 12-member singing group called the Krokodiloes. Founded in 1946, this was Harvard’s first a cappella group, which draws from the Great American Songbook and beyond. I enjoyed singing with the “Kroks” for three years. The leader, Herbert Fortmiller, would play the base notes on the piano so that I could commit them to memory. We were a traveling road show, and we sported tuxedoes when we would perform at nursing homes and retirement centers in the Boston area. During one spring break we travelled to Bermuda to perform at several resort hotels. I still have a 1956 recording of the Kroks. The Krokodiloes’ tradition has continued to this day, and every other year I make a modest contribution to express my appreciation for the experience of having been a Krok.”
–From Philip’s Memoirs, within the “Harvard” chapter
Philip Price, Jr., a lifelong resident of Philadelphia, died peacefully surrounded by his family on February 1, 2023. He was 88 years old. Mr. Price, the youngest child of Philip Price, Sr. and Sarah Harrison Price, was best known as a champion of numerous Philadelphia non-profit organizations. He had a deep interest in American history and was a descendant of several notable figures including Civil War General George Gordon Meade, 12th U.S. President Zachary Taylor and Joseph Harrison, Jr. who was responsible for building the Saint Petersburg – Moscow Railway.
Mr. Price loved learning, and was a graduate of St. Paul’s School, Harvard University and the University of Pennsylvania Law School. While at St. Paul’s, he was an accomplished athlete and was awarded the Gordon Medal, the school’s highest athletic honor. While at Harvard, Mr. Price was an enthusiastic member of the Porcellian Club and the Krokodiloes, Harvard’s oldest acapella group.
Mr. Price started his career as an attorney at his father’s law firm, Dechert Price & Rhoades (now called Dechert, LLP) and then worked in the public defender’s office. He was active in politics and elected as a delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1976. In 1978, he was elected to the Pennsylvania State Senate where he served until 1982. For many years, Mr. Price was president of the Allegheny West Foundation, a community development organization dedicated to economic development in the Allegheny West neighborhood.
Mr. Price served on the boards of many organizations including the Fairmount Park Conservancy, The Association for Public Art, the Civil War Museum of Philadelphia, The Woodlands Cemetery, The Woodlands Trust For Historic Preservation, The Ludwick Foundation and Saint James School. He was most passionate about Fairmont Park, and his work followed a long family tradition which started with his great grandfather, Eli Kirk Price, who was responsible for securing the land for the park. His grandfather, Eli Kirk Price II, was instrumental in the development of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and his father Philip Price, Sr. served on the Fairmount Park Commission.
Mr. Price, affectionately called “Phil” by his friends, loved his family and took great joy in spending time with his children and grandchildren, especially during summers in Maine. To those who knew him well, his deep laugh was infectious, as was his playful nature. He enjoyed tennis into his 80s and liked to switch hands mid-match to create an extra challenge. Mr. Price is survived by his wife of 63 years, Sarah Price; two sisters: Sarah (Sally) Chittenden and Evelyn (Evie) Scott; his three children Alexandra (Aly) Price, Emilie Price and Philip Price, III; and six grandchildren. A memorial service will be held in the spring.
Published in Jacob F. Ruth funeral website
– See more at: https://www.jacobfruth.com/obituary/philip-price-jr
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