Philip Howard Arnot, Jr.

July 15, 1924 - April 6, 2021

Phil Arnot, teacher, political activist, mountaineer, adventurer, wilderness guide, photographer, author, decorated WWII veteran, athlete, and storyteller died on April 6 at the age of 96. Born in San Francisco, California to Philip Howard Arnot, Sr. and Ruth Sheldon Arnot, he was a fourth-generation Californian. Raised in San Francisco with his late siblings, Nancy Arnot Harjan and David Sheldon Arnot, he spent his youth playing street football, attending Cal football games, getting into mischief, and summering at his grandmother’s cabin in Lagunitas, California. While a student at Lowell High School, Phil discovered track, which inspired him to study hard for the purpose of having the opportunity to run track for Cal. As a high school senior he won the half-mile in the All-City meet and was named “the greatest track runner of the year,” by the San Francisco Examiner. He realized his dream to run for Cal where he excelled at the 880-yard run. At the age of 56 he won the 1980 Pan American Masters meet in the 800-meter run for his age group.

In 1944 he interrupted his studies to enlist in the U.S. Air Force. He piloted a B-17 in 21 offensive missions over Germany for which he was awarded several service medals. In 2011 he was awarded the Chevalier of the Legion of Honor in recognition of France’s gratitude for his service. Following the war, Phil returned to Cal, and graduated as a third-generation University of California, Berkeley graduate. Having been introduced as a young boy to walks in the woods near Lagunitas by his grandmother, Phil’s love of the wilderness grew and established deep roots. He explored the Sierra Nevada, documenting its beauty in photography. Soon he was introducing teenagers and adults to the wilderness as a personal guide and author of numerous trail guides. To this day, hundreds of people credit him with instilling within them a deep appreciation and love of the wilderness. His experience as a guide led him to believe that human beings have an innate affinity, and even a need, to be with wilderness. Phil’s adventurous spirit took him to faraway places including Alaska, South America and New Zealand.

A man of strong convictions, he participated in peace marches and tirelessly wrote letters to politicians, community leaders and others in the hopes of creating a better and safer world.

He and his first wife, Mary Jeanne Eckerman, had 3 children whom they raised in Redwood City and Menlo Park. He taught world history and coached track at Carlmont High School in Belmont for many years and later at Ravenswood High School in East Palo Alto where he introduced a mountaineering and rock-climbing program. Phil spent the last 40 decades living in the rustic cabin in Lagunitas that his grandmother built in 1920.

A tireless storyteller, Phil loved to make up ghost stories to share around a campfire. He had a remarkable ability to recall even the smallest details that enlivened his tales of a mischievous boyhood, highly competitive track races, mountaineering adventures and his WWII service. He put most of his life experiences in writing and documented his many adventures in breathtaking photographs.

Phil is survived by his three children, Bruce Arnot, Cynthia ‘Cindy’ Barber (Brad) and Susan Arnot; granddaughters Katharine “Kate” Davis (Peter), and Anne Marie Barber (Eric Rubenacker); companion of 25 years, Sondra Claire; sisterin-law Ann Arnot; nephews Tom Arnot (Rae Pederson), Todd Arnot and Jim Arnot ; niece Tanya Harjan and many loyal friends. The family gives special thanks to David Lunn, Jiori Orfanos and Joyce Mustin for their love, care and generosity in his final weeks.

Phil was one of a kind and will be missed by many.