Philip Gerhardt Schmanska passed away peacefully at home on July 2, 2026. A graduate of Boston University and a career U.S. Army officer, Phil rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel before retiring to golf, garden, and spend time with his family. He served in Germany, Korea, and two combat tours in Vietnam where he was awarded the Bronze Star medal three times, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Army Commendation Medal twice, and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with gold star. Phil finished out his military career at Fort Monroe and retired to Hampton, a city he loved. A former college baseball player, Phil was a lifelong Boston Red Sox fan who spent much of his later life following every pitch and at-bat of his favorite team. A devoted Hampton Wythe Little League coach, Phil counted taking the Tigers to the 1973 championship as one of his most joyful moments. 

He was preceded in death by his late wives, Mary Pappas Schmanska (2nd Lt, US Army), and Sylvia Kent Schmanska. Phil will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery aside his first wife, Mary. He is survived by his children, Karen Nelson and her husband Andrew Nelson of Carrollton, Virginia, Barrett Schmanska and his wife Heidi Combs, of Seattle Washington, grandchildren Blair Nelson Rodriguez and her husband Kris Rodriguez, of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, Philip Nelson and his wife Nicole May Nelson, of Suffolk, Virginia.