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By Craig Sowell, Houston '92

Delta Upsilon has lost another one of its quiet and unassuming gentlemen. We are sad to announce the passing of acclaimed writer, professor and poet, Brother Robert S. Phillips, Syracuse ’60, who passed away on Jan. 21, 2022.

Brother Phillips was a widely published writer of fiction and criticism, noted lecturer, editor, professor and scholar. He authored three books of short stories, 20 volumes of essays, and seven books of poetry, of which one, "The Pregnant Man" (Doubleday), was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. His awards and accomplishments in academics and literature were countless. Among them, he was named a John and Rebecca Moores Scholar at the University of Houston, received the American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters Award in Literature, and the Arents Award, which is the highest honor bestowed upon an alumnus of Syracuse University.

Brother Phillips joined Delta Upsilon at the urging of his friends in the dormitory. After joining, he moved into the fraternity house and served in a variety of capacities during his time in the chapter and continued to maintain close relationships with his DU brothers throughout his lifetime. While a professor and Dean of the Creative Writing Department at the University of Houston, he assisted the Houston Chapter during the academic year, spoke at Initiation, and made frequent visits to the chapter for their cultural events, often reading from his collection of poetry.

At the 2001 Leadership Institute in Dallas, he was honored as the 35th recipient of the Delta Upsilon Distinguished Alumni Award, the Fraternity’s highest honor.