HELLMICH, Philip Monroe passed away Friday, April 1, 2022. He was born on November 3, 1961, in Greensburg, Indiana, the son of Richard and Phyllis Hellmich. Philip was a force for goodness in the world. As the Director of Peace at The Shift Network, he was the chief architect of the Summer of Peace, Yoga Day Summit, and World Peace Library and was the co-lead faculty of the Peace Ambassador Training. These peace programs provide skills training, inspirational stories, and powerful solutions from the world’s top peacebuilders, social change leaders, scientists, Indigenous elders, and spiritual mentors.
Philip dedicated most of his life to global and local peacebuilding initiatives, including 14 years with Search for Common Ground and four years as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Sierra Leone where he lived and worked in small remote bush villages. He was a published writer, including his book God and Conflict: A Search for Peace in a Time of Crisis, and presented nationally and internationally, including at the Nobel Peace Prize Forum. He was an active member of the Yogananda community.
Philip’s love for family, Indiana sports, gardening, and biking was ever present. His world travels and vast friend network led to a life of abundant and rich life experiences. He embraced and lived a life that saw only goodness and love and opportunities for peace.
Philip was preceded in death by his grandparents Leo Hellmich, Gladys Hellmich, and Mary (Thomas) Martz; by his cousins Sherry (Wagner) Lewis and Jennifer (Wise) Hicks; and by his brother-in-law James Bozdech. He is survived by his parents Richard and Phyllis and his siblings and their children and grandchildren: Richard II (Christine Cook; child Allyse [Nick DeBonis; child Sophia DeBonis]); Vickie Hellmich-Bozdech (stepchildren Jennifer Anders and Kirsten Rupper); Tom (Lou Ann Bunker; children Emily [Wayne Fan; child Max FanHellmich], Kate, and Hannah); David (Linda; children Lara Hendlin [Josh Hendlin; children Natalie and Noah Hendlin], Caitlin Trebelhorn [Brendon Trebelhorn; child Tove Trebelhorn], and Mary); Steven (Anita Contra; children (from first marriage to Erin Sizer) Erica [Jason Aluague] and Will [Nicole Bradshaw]); Sue Nitchen (Dan; children Dane [Kirah McConnell], Sabina Danielle-Mae, and Anya Nitchen); Trevor (Jamie; children Jacob, Madeline, Emma, and Luke); Jim (Jennifer; children Morgan, Evan, and Adam); Michael; and Kyle Scheidler (Jennifer; children Stella, Thomas, and Gretchen Scheidler). Phillip is also survived by his aunts Janet Hellmich (children Jason Wise [Natalie; child Maximus Jackson Wyatt] and granddaughter Taylor Morgan Burt); Karen Bauer (Travis; children Jenny [Loni Walker] and Mary Sizemore [Chris; child Claire Sizemore]); and Peggy Wagner (Roger; children Michelle Gasper [Dan; children Michael [Makalah]; David [Jessica]; Matthew, and Amy], and Julie McKittrick [Jason; children Elizabeth and Emily], and grandchildren Jennifer Lewis Tunny (Jesse) and Katie Lewis Eckstein (Daniel)).
Philip’s family is grateful to friends and colleagues who supported Philip. A celebration of Philip’s life is being scheduled for a later date.