Philip Hanna, M.D.

Phil was born in Greeley, Colorado but spent most of his childhood in Littleton, Colorado.  After graduating from Arapahoe High School, he received his Bachelor of Arts and Science degree from the University of Colorado.  Throughout college, he was very active in sports and coached little league football and baseball in his spare time. Phil went on to receive his Doctor of Medicine Degree at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and continued his studies at the University of Michigan and UCLA, specializing in Gastroenterology.

After completing his many years of education, Phil joined a large Gastroenterology practice in Minneapolis, Minnesota for three years. He then moved back to Littleton, Colorado with his wife and two young children. Phil worked twenty-two years at South Denver Gastroenterology prior to joining National Jewish Health as Chief of Gastroenterology and Associate Professor of Medicine, a position and privilege he took so much pride in until he retired in 2015.

Beyond being a brilliant doctor who cared deeply for his patients, Phil always found time between the long arduous hours to be with his beloved family. He adored his wife Kathy and treasured growing their family and building their dream home together. Quiet evenings were spent sitting side-by-side in the backyard, grilling mouth-watering steaks and sharing a glass of wine. He cheered on his kids at their soccer, volleyball, basketball and football games, and spent many a favorite weekend on the golf course with his wife and children. He was his daughter’s cheerleader as she danced at Broncos games and he was his son’s at-home coach and doctor through his football games and boxing matches. In particular, Phil had a very close and special bond with his youngest son, Eric, who is physically and developmentally disabled. Phil held close to his heart the moments of taking Eric on highway car adventures and tricycle rides. He was so proud of all that his children have accomplished and the incredible adults they have grown up to be. Just prior to Phil’s death, he was blessed with twin grandchildren, Brooks and Kinsley, whom he absolutely cherished.

May Phil be celebrated as the incredibly loving and compassionate man that he was. May we all laugh when we remember his quick wit and dry sense of humor. May we continue to be inspired by his brilliance and never-ending desire to learn and read. He lived life to its fullest and will be truly missed by his wife, Kathy of thirty-seven years; his children, Adam and his wife Jenny, Lauren and her husband Brian, and Eric; his mother, Faydene; his brother Mark and family; his thirty-one nieces and nephews along with forty-seven great nieces and nephews.  His many, many friends are too numerous to count.

So, raise a glass, take a puff of that cigar and cheers to Phil’s legacy. Forever in our hearts and memory.

In lieu of flowers his family welcomes donations to Bethesda Lutheran Communities serving intellectual and developmentally impaired adults.

Please leave memories and condolences for Phil by signing the tribute wall.