Phillip "Gene" Schoettlin

Phillip “Gene” Schoettlin, 89, of Topeka, Kansas, passed away Saturday, December 13, 2025 at the Stormont Vail Medical Center. He was born in Kansas City, Missouri on October 4, 1936. Gene lived in the Kansas City area, other than his time in the US Army, until sixteen years ago when he and his wife Camille moved to Shawnee County, just north of Topeka.

He and his wife Camille celebrated 41 years of marriage earlier this year. They enjoyed traveling, attending events for their children and grandchildren, spending time with small church groups and dinner groups, and being outdoors.

Gene is the son of Morton Phillip and Lula Frances Miller Schoettlin, both deceased. He attended Troost Elementary school, was a 1954 graduate of Paseo High School and studied electrical engineering at Finlay Engineering College – all in Kansas City, Missouri.

Gene’s 60+ year career began when he delivered the Kansas City Times & Star before and after school. He started his day at 4 am and worked 7 days a week through high school and college.

His professional employment included maintenance at industrial bakeries, maintenance supervisor at H.D. Lee, a garment manufacturer, modifying and installing production equipment at all 17 production plants in the U.S., Chief Engineer at the Radison Muehlebach Hotel, Director of Plant Services at Bethany Medical Center, and Construction Superintendent contracted with AT&T central office upgrading phone rooms in new construction. He served 2 years in the U.S. Army, stationed in Chicago’s Nike Hercules air defense as a guided missile site electrician.

During the 1976 Republican National Convention, the Muehlebach hotel was the central convention hotel where many of the national leaders stayed, including President Gerald R. Ford, who Gene had the opportunity to escort in the hotel.

During 4th and 5th grades, he sang in the boys’ choir at Grace & Holy Trinity Cathedral in downtown Kansas City, Missouri.

Gene was a lifelong supporter of the Scouting movement. He was in both Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. He camped for many years at Camp Osceola, now the H. Roe Bartle Scout Reservation. Gene was active in the honor camping organization at Bartle called the Tribe of Mic-O-Say. There are four generations of his family that are members of this organization, which was a point of pride for him.

Growing up in the Church, his Christian faith was central in his life. While in college, he began attending Calvary Baptist Church where he created many lifelong friendships. In the late 1970s, he joined and was very active in the singles ministry at Village Presbyterian Church, where he met Camille on a canoe trip. Gene and Camille were active at Hillcrest Christian Church in Overland Park, Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church and First Presbyterian Church in Topeka.

He was an avid, accomplished photographer, especially in the area of rural landscapes. He had an affinity for rural landscapes and the Rocky Mountains, where he enjoyed camping and elk hunting with a lifelong friend.

Gene is preceded in death by his parents, Morton and Lula; his stepmother Leta Schoettlin; and his son, Stephen Craig Schoettlin.

At his passing Gene leaves his wife Camille Westermann Schoettlin, of the home; 4 children, Melissa Schoettlin Lopez, Phillip Schoettlin (Karen), Fred Schoettlin, and Suzanne Schoettlin; 3 stepchildren, Mark Westermann (Marlene), Lisa Westermann Shenk (Lyle), and Pat Westermann (Melody); 12 grandchildren; 6 great grandchildren; and many other family members and friends.

His celebration of life will be held January 3rd, 2026 at the Parker-Price Funeral Home, 245 NW Independence Ave, Topeka, Kansas at . The visitation will begin at 1 pm with the celebration of life will begin at 2 pm.

Gene wished to be cremated and have his ashes interred at the Memorial Cemetery, Kansas City, Missouri in a private ceremony.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Topeka Rescue Mission.

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