Philip Pantoja, contracting officer for Pacific West Region in Seattle, Washington, retired on January 3rd after 35 years with the National Park Service.

Philip is a Korea and Vietnam War veteran who served in the United States Marine Corps and the United States Army for a combined total of 21 years. He is a recipient of three Army commendation medals and the Bronze Star; he is also one of the few surviving “Atomic Veterans” and is an active member of the National Association of Atomic Veterans, working to bring attention to the issues veterans face for having served in this capacity.

Philip started his NPS career at Mount Rainier National Park as a supply clerk in 1977 and after eight years transferred to the Pacific Northwest Regional Office in Seattle.

In 1995, when the Western Region joined with the Pacific Northwest Region, Philip continued to serve as a key contracting official until he retired, overseeing multi-million dollar construction, architecture and engineering, and research contracts, among others.

Philip was married to his late wife Tomiko for 43 years and has two sons, Philip Jr. and Mario, both of whom live in the Seattle area, and one granddaughter.

Philip is an experienced bicyclist and has pedaled thousands of miles throughout Washington and Oregon since 1987. He notes that he enjoyed his NPS career and met beautiful people along the way, and is proud to have served his country for 56 years.

Philip has no plans, he just goes! Wave to him if you see him fly by on his bike!

Born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, Philip will remain in the Pacific Northwest and can be reached on email at pinchebato@hotmail.com.