Phil Habig

William “Phil” Philip Habig was born on February 23rd, 1945 and concluded his life on December 30th, 2020. As he would have loved, his wife, Kym Habig, was by his side as he battled complications from bone marrow cancer. He is greatly loved and survived by his wife, Kym Habig, children, and grandchildren: Kathryn Mobley, son-in-law Patrick Duhon, and future granddaughter (due April 1st 2021), Robert Mobley, Mary “Danie” Daniel Habig, Michael Habig, and granddaughter Ava Matthews. He was born and raised by his much beloved mother and stepfather in Long Beach, California. He lived the majority of his life in Belmont Shore, a small beach community in Long Beach, but moved to Natchitoches, Louisiana in his later years. After a two year family road trip traveling the country, he moved with his family in 2005 to Natchitoches in support of his father-in-law, Bert Froeba (deceased). Phil was passionate about his work and a career that focused on connecting with people. He was an instructor of Marketing and Salesmanship at Northwestern State University of Louisiana for fifteen years. He absolutely loved teaching at NSULA and talked about his students relentlessly. He was a proud Pepperdine Alum, Navy Reserve Seaman, and holds an MBA. He retired from IBM after a very successful thirty year career in sales and marketing. After retiring, he and his wife owned a successful gift retail store for eight years in Long Beach and currently co-own, Cane River Kitchenware, in Natchitoches. He was about to begin a second career at California State University in Long Beach when his wife talked him into selling everything and moving into a motorhome and traveling throughout the country, including Alaska and Canada, on a full-time basis. This proved to be the most fun he had ever had. Some things changed and the adventure was cut short, so he settled in Natchitoches in August of 2005. He arrived just in time for Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita and discovered quickly that hurricanes do different things than earthquakes. A few of his favorite things included crossword puzzles, adventure novels, grabbing a beer with family and friends at Joe Jost’s or the “Pub,” his morning coffee with the paper (don’t mess with the coffee machine), telling corny jokes, sitting on the porch with a martini in a homemade martini glass while watching Cane River, and “puttering” around the house.” He loved to go on family trips and include as many of his children as he could. He was an amazing teacher, father, and his wacky dance moves could lighten up any room. Throughout his life, he enjoyed water skiing, snow skiing, boating, woodworking, motorcycling through Baja Mexico, working on cars, and going to the gym where his workout buddies would be “waiting for it to open” so they could all work out together. He has served as President of Rotary in Natchitoches and as President of the Long Beach Ski Club, dubbed “Phast Phil.” Favorite memories from his children include: walking as a family to get sushi on 2nd Street, learning to ski with him at Big Bear and Mammoth, road trips in the blue 80’s minivan, knowing he was always there for them, and getting in trouble for driving his sacred “mustang.” He loved and doted on his wife of 35 years and was always chuckling. His family compared him to salmon, because no matter what or how hard the current, he just kept swimming. In a nod to his favorite Habig and always classic Dad-joke-style-birthday song, this one is for him: “Here’s your obituary song, it isn’t very long. Hey!” We love you Dad. Unfortunately, due to the COVID pandemic, the family has opted for a private ceremony to celebrate his life.