Philip Edward
Sorensen
1931 ~ 2010
Philip Edward Sorensen, a noted Professor of Economics and recognized expert in natural resource economics, died Wednesday, July 28, in Tallahassee, Florida, surrounded by his loving family. He was born November 8, 1931, in Logan, Utah, to Alma Nicholas and Mary Carlisle Sorensen. Alma was Professor of English at Utah State Agricultural College (now Utah State University) in Logan for more than 24 years. Mary was also a teacher -- her specialty being Home Economics at Brigham Young College in Logan, before settling-down to rear a family of eight. Alma's father Isaac emigrated with his father Nicolai to Utah from Denmark in 1857, originally settling in Salt Lake City and then moving on to found the town of Mendon. The historic Sorensen farm in Mendon is still listed as the oldest Cache Valley farm still owned by the same family.
Philip received Bachelor's and Master's degrees at Utah State University in 1954 and 1957. He received the USU College Award at the time of his graduation in 1954 on the basis of scholarship and many student activities including the USU Student Council, the honor society of Phi Kappa Phi, Phi Beta Kappa, Sigma Chi Fraternity, Pi Sigma Alpha Political Science Honor Society, USU radio station KVNU, and dramatic arts. He received his Ph. D in Economics from the University of California in Berkeley in 1965 and went on to a 45-year career of teaching and research at the University of California in Santa Barbara, Florida State University in Tallahassee, Cambridge University, St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN, Claremont Men's College in CA, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT and a number of other universities in the U.S. and overseas. He was recognized as an expert in offshore oil production and oil spill analysis, and in antitrust economics. With a colleague at the University of California, Santa Barbara, Phil did research and published the pioneering work on competitive bidding for oil and gas leases on the outer continental shelf. This work was reported to and funded by the US Department of Interior. He presented testimony in many state and government hearings including the United States Senate Judiciary Committee and received a special commendation from Florida's governor Askew and cabinet in 1976.
He attended Logan schools and had a special place in his heart for the Whittier, especially the annual Christmas Cantata. This was the beginning of his love for theater. He was an active thespian and acted in productions at USU and the Lyric Theater. He was a popular voice on the radio in Logan on KVNU. He was also on the radio on KMON in Great Falls, MT where he frequently dedicated songs to Mom during their courtship. Dad was a wonderful storyteller. Some of our favorite childhood memories are the creative stories Dad used to make up to entertain us as we drove across the country every summer.
Dad had a great love for Zion's National Park and worked for the Union Pacific at the beautiful Zion Lodge in Zion National Park in the summers of 1949 and 1950. He loved meeting and participating in all of the park's events and activities with the other young people from all over the country.
Philip met the "love of his life," Joyce Strand, in Great Falls, Montana in 1955 while serving as a Lieutenant in the United States Air Force, and they were married in 1957.
In addition to his wife, Philip is survived by his sons Eric Christian (Judy) of Tallahassee, FL; Thomas Edward (Celia) of Dahlonega, GA; daughter Mary Kristin Prudent (Lance) of Logan, UT; and six grandchildren:
Michael, Shelby, John, Thomas, Malena and Margaret. He is also survived by his brother Robert Nicholas (Bob) who lives in McKinney, Texas, with wife Noel. Philip was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Wendell Hughes Sorensen and Walter Carlisle Barber, David Carlisle and John Mark, and sisters Mary Jean and Anne.
Philip Edward Sorensen was a loving son, husband, father and grandfather. This brought him great joy. He was a modest, humble man and a great provider. He grew up in Cache Valley and loved it more than any place on earth and he often shared fond memories of Logan and Mendon with his family. We all miss him terribly and cherish our life with him.
In his last note to his wife of nearly 53 years he wrote:
"No other sun has lightened up my Heaven,
No other star has ever shone for me."
Funeral plans are underway on a Memorial Service to be held at the Logan City Cemetery in Logan, Utah. In lieu of flowers, and his special love for God's creatures great and small, please send donations to the Cache Humane Society of Logan, UT or a local humane society or animal shelter.