We are saddened to share the news of the passing of Professor Emeritus Philip Rose, who died peacefully on December 6, 2025, of long-term effects of a near-fatal bicycling accident in 2015 on Boulder Hill. Phil served Carroll College for 31 years as a professor of computer science and mathematics and was awarded emeritus status upon his retirement in recognition of his enduring contributions to the college.
Phil played a key role in developing Carroll’s Computer Science program, which later expanded to include Computer Information Systems. A strong believer in the liberal arts, he valued every discipline and supported colleagues as they explored new ideas, technologies, and approaches to teaching. Students were always central to his work, and his classrooms were known for both rigor and warmth, often marked by his humor, memorable phrases, and Tolkien references that earned him the nickname “Philbo Baggins.”
As shared by his wife, Terry, Phil embodied the spirit of Carroll as a lifetime learner who delighted in the liberal arts in his spare time, a Renaissance man who read classic British and Russian literature, sang in the St. Helena Cathedral Choir, and studied Anglo-Saxon.
“Phil was the first professor I met when I transferred to Carroll as a student,” said Ted Wendt, Ph.D., associate professor and department chair of mathematics. “Terry got it absolutely right in her note—he was a true Renaissance man. I, personally, am grateful that I had the opportunity to learn from him as a student and to teach with him as a colleague. He was a gifted and compassionate teacher, and his contributions to the college won’t soon be forgotten.”
Phil is survived by his wife, Terry Rose; two children and four stepchildren, all Carroll graduates; 11 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Private family services will be held at Queen of Peace Cemetery in Spokane, Washington.
Click here to read the full emeritus citation honoring Professor Rose’s career.