Philip Michael Koester

Philip Michael "Phil" Koester passed away unexpectedly on January 16, 2024, at the age of 37. 

He was born on May 3, 1986, to Norman and Debra Koester. Even as a child, Phil demonstrated a brilliant and inquisitive mind and developed a keen interest in anything and everything mechanical. After graduating from Binghamton High School, he attended Delhi University and began building and designing his own computers. 

Phil was also intrigued by the Japanese language and culture which eventually led him to take Japanese at SUNY Binghamton and visit Japan. One of his favorite hobbies was brewing his own craft beer. He and a friend traveled to Germany to learn more about brewing techniques. 

Phil never tired of spirited discussions and debates from philosophy and history to world civilization and religion. He never stopped being curious about the world around him. 

Computers were a life passion for him and led to his employment at Time Warner Cable as a software engineer in Endicott. He described his time there as a fun and eclectic job learning about network infrastructure which was fascinating to him. He then continued and eventually became an IT manager at Conduent in Austin, TX. 

Phil was a gentle, quiet soul and highly perceptive by nature. He put his heart and soul into being a loyal, supportive, dependable individual to those close to his heart. He will be missed by all who knew him well. We are devastated by his loss and will feel his absence forever.

Phil is survived by his son Julian Koester, whom he dearly loved, as well as his dearest friend, Amanda Schreiber. He is survived by his father, Norman Koester and his wife Marilyn; mother, Debra Friel and her husband, Michael; sisters, Anna Koester (Hutchins) and her husband Peter, and Emily Koester. He is also survived by his loving grandmother, Patricia Kellermann and her husband William; aunt, Dona Rogner and her husband Oscar; Yvonne Muchard (Koester) and her husband Michael; and Wanda Glazier (Koester) and her husband Michael;  uncles, Roy Leonard, and his wife Randi; and Kevin (Moose) Koester and his wife Jarvie;  and his many cousins, Tim, Chris, Adam, Mason, Graydon, Dylan, Jack and Adrianna, Calvin, Paul, Dana, Christine, Scott, Julie and Bonnie Jo; step siblings, Joy Henry (Ridley) and Paul Ridley; and Julian's mother, Stephanie Pekas.

Funeral services will be private and held at the convenience of the family.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Homer Funeral Home, 83 Grovedale Lane, Wyalusing, PA 18853

To send condolences or sign the e-guestbook, please go to www.homerfuneralhome.com