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Dedicated Entrepreneur and Devoted Family Man

Philip Hawley ’47

May 25, 2023.

Philip Metschan Hawley was a dedicated entrepreneur, a devoted family man, and a steadfast Reedie who served on the board of trustees. He was the brother of Willard P. Hawley III ’44, a pre-meteorology cadet in training at Reed, who died serving in World War II.

During World War II, Phil attended UC Berkeley and was a member of the V-12 Navy College Training Program, while earning Phi Beta Kappa honors. Shortly before graduation, he met  Mary Catherine Follen. He knew instantly this vivacious Irish Catholic girl was the perfect match for his even-keeled Protestant personality. Within six weeks, the couple were engaged.

In Portland, Phil and Mary started their own small business, the Broadway Ice Cream Bowl, with the first of many children arriving soon after. In 1958, they moved to Los Angeles, settling in Hancock Park.

Together, Phil and Mary raised a family while Phil’s retailing career grew. He led Broadway Department Stores and oversaw the national expansion of Neiman Marcus. His children would marvel at how, despite the demands of his career, he never missed a child’s birthday or family celebration.

Phil was predeceased by his wife, Mary, and is survived by eight children.

Appeared in Reed magazine: Spring 2025

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