Philip Lendel Rouse, 82, of Eaton, Colorado passed away on Tuesday, June 9, 2026.

He was born in Denver on January 29, 1944, to Regina and Lendel Rouse. He attended school in Englewood, though he left before graduating from high school. He enlisted in the Coast Guard and served from 1961 – 1965. His duty assignments took him to bases around the United States as well as to a year’s stay in an isolated duty station in the Philippines. While in the service he earned his G.E.D., and after those years in the Coast Guard he earned his associate’s degree from Arapahoe Community College. He later earned his bachelor’s degree in 1971 and his master’s degree in 1974, both from the University of Northern Colorado. It was while he was a student at Arapahoe Community College that he met his wife, Pat, a member of the college faculty. By that time, he was a non-traditional student and was much older than the average college student. Phil and Pat were married on June 6, 1971, and just recently celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary.

Except for 2 years serving as principal of Lake County High School in Leadville, Colorado, Phil’s entire career was spent in Vocational Education. His career began as a Co-Op G teacher in Westminster District 50 and then as Director of the Area Vocational School in Arapahoe County from 1981 until 1991. Phil later became the Associate Dean of Occupational Education at Aims Community College and in 1998 he retired as Dean of the Alamosa Campus of Trinidad State College. Even in retirement he was still involved with education, as he worked for several years for the Colorado prison system helping teachers, particularly in the Sterling and Cañon City facilities, become better teachers.

Phil believed strongly in giving back to the community in which he lived. He and Pat and son, Topher, hadn’t lived in Eaton for a year when he became Chairman of the Eaton Community Days committee. At that time, he organized the first pancake breakfast with the help of the Eaton High School cheerleaders and their mothers. He served on the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors from 1981 – 1985, served on the Eaton Board of Education from 1985 – 1989 and was a member of the Eaton Lions Club, the Rotary Club and the Eaton American Legion Post 26.

For more than 30 years, Weld County 4-H played an important part in Phil’s life. Many of those years were as Superintendent of Model Rocketry, for which he was fondly called “Mr. Model Rocket Man”. In 2014 he was given the Colorado 4-H Outstanding Leader Award.

From an early age Phil enjoyed outdoor activities, beginning with the time spent at the family cabin near Deckers. He also spent time hunting and fishing, running his pontoon boat on Colorado lakes, serving with the Coast Guard Auxiliary as a boat examiner, and riding mountain trails on his horse, Flame. He also enjoyed being a camp cook for hunting camps and even enjoyed a Green Bay Packers football game with his son Topher in late December.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Lendel and Regina Rouse; and his older sister, Elaine Haskin.

Phil is survived by his wife, Pat; son, Topher and daughter-in-law, Vonnie; sister, Janet Campbell; grandchildren, Bailey and Patrik Bagwell; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins; and Kirby.

A memorial service to celebrate Phil’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at the Eaton Community Church, 1561 Benjamin Avenue in Eaton, Colorado.

In lieu of gifts or flowers, please make donations to the Weld County 4-H Foundation Scholarship Fund or to the American Legion Post 26 Scholarship Fund. They can be sent in care of Moser Funeral Service, 3501 11th Avenue, Evans, Colorado 80620.