Background
Willkie, Philip Herman was born on December 7, 1919 in Rushville, Indiana, United States. Son of Wendell Lewis and Edith (Wilk) Willkie.
banker lawyer officer politician
Willkie, Philip Herman was born on December 7, 1919 in Rushville, Indiana, United States. Son of Wendell Lewis and Edith (Wilk) Willkie.
Bachelor of Arts, Princeton, 1940. Master of Arts in History, Harvard, 1941. Bachelor of Laws, Columbia, 1947.
Doctor of Laws, Salem College, 1960.
Graduate Stonier Graduate School Banking, Rutgers University, 1957. Doctor of Humane Letters, Rider College, 1966.
During World World War II, he served as a lieutenant in the United States Navy and was second in command under Commander Weems. Willkie was president of the Rushville National Bank in Rushville, Indiana, a farmer and cattleman, and a businessman who served on several corporate boards. In 1960, he was briefly considered by Richard M. Nixon as his vice presidential running mate, but the selection went instead to Henry Cabot Lodge, Junior., of Massachusetts.
Willkie supported allowing foreign-trained doctors the ability to practice in small-town America.
He also advocated the preservation of the independence of small-town banking. His professional and social associations included Beta Theta Pi fraternity, the Masonic lodge, Moose International, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Press Club, and the Columbia Club of Indianapolis.
He was an admitted to the bar in New York, Washington District of Columbia, and Indiana. He committed suicide on April 10, 1974.
News reports indicated that his suicide followed the early stages of an investigation of the Rushville National Bank by federal regulators.
The bank was shut down by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency in 1992 as insolvent.
Member Rush County Republican Committee, 1963-1966. National chairman Council for Advancement Small Colleges, 1959-1961. Member United States board foreign scholarships, 1953-1958.
Served from apprentice seaman to Lieutenant United States Navy, 1941-1945.
Member Beta Theta Pi. Mason, Lion.; Clubs: Elks (Rushville).
Married Virginia Z. Adamson. Children: Wendell II, Philip H., Frank P., Benjamin J., David Wilk.