The graphics-printing industry recently was saddened by the loss of Dr. Phil Age, an associate professor at Eastern Illinois University. He passed away June 2, 2007 at the age of 57. Age was born in Louisville, KY on March 14, 1950. He was the son of Alton and Lola May (Hume) Age. He married Jill Pospisil on January 22, 1977 at the Chapman College Chapel in Orange, CA. Age is survived by his wife and other family members.

Age graduated from Long Beach State University and joined the creative-entertainment field at Disneyland in California. His career in teaching graphic arts began at San Dieguito in Encinitas, CA. His passion for teaching graphic arts and exploring related technologies guided him in completing his doctorate degree at Illinois State University in Curriculum and Instruction. Age's career spanned three decades and included teaching high-school students, university undergrads and graduate students, and training at the corporate level.

At Eastern Illinois University, he developed a complete screen printing, digital imaging, and Web technology curriculum. He also published numerous articles in research and trade publications. His EIU colleague, Prof. Jean Dilworth served as co-adviser with Age to the Technical Arts and Graphic Association (TAGA) student chapter at Eastern Illinois University. He founded the TAGA student chapter at EIU, in which students screen printed many campus projects to create funds to attend international conferences.

“Dr. Age lived every day with the intensity and humor as if he only had that one day to make a difference,” Dilworth said.
Age was National Chairman for the PrintEd National Accreditation Program and was involved in numerous other organizations in his field, including the Graphic Arts Technical Foundation/Printing Industries of America, Specialty Graphic Imaging Association, Digital Printing and Imaging Association, Flexographic Technical Association, American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists, and many more.

Age enjoyed spending his free time with his family, and he was an avid golfer. Contributions to a memorial fund in Dr. Phil Age’s name for national student education can made to Merrill Lynch and mailed to Jill Age, TAGA Chapter, PO Box  1016, Charleston, IL 61920.