Obituary - Philip Christopher Pieters

Beloved father, husband, brother and friend Philip (Phil) Christopher Pieters, MD, of Manakin Sabot, Virginia, passed away on May 24, 2025, surrounded by family after a courageous and hard-fought journey with Glioblastoma. He was 67 years old.

Phil’s life was defined by his unwavering selflessness, effusive kindheartedness and steadfast integrity. Born in Baltimore, Maryland on April 11, 1958, Phil graduated from Glen Burnie High School before embarking on his voyage through medical school, beginning at the University of Maryland Baltimore County; then University of Maryland Medical School, internship at Boston University, residency at Wayne State (Detroit, Michigan), and fellowship at Dartmouth College.

He and his young family landed in Richmond, Virginia in 1994 to work for Virginia Commonwealth University (then the Medical College of Virginia) before moving into private practice with Radiology Associates of Richmond at Henrico Doctor’s Hospital, where he practiced for nearly 25 years. Phil was deeply passionate about his work and his work family; his expansive circle of longtime colleagues included some of his dearest friends. He was cherished not only for his exceptional expertise, but for his mentorship, his advocacy and his lightheartedness. The Interventional Radiology Suite at Henrico Doctors, for which he fervently lobbied to improve conditions for his team, was dedicated and named in his honor in February 2024. Humble as he was, he was also named a Top Doc by Richmond Magazine for the 25 consecutive years of his career.

Not only was Phil a Top Doc, but he was also Top Dad (uncontested) for 34 years straight. Phil was outright adored by his children Kelsea, Chloe and Jackson. He always made time for family despite excelling in a demanding career. He was deeply imaginative, hilariously creative and endlessly empathetic as a father. He was an ardent supporter of their endeavors in sports and the arts. He taught them everything they know about music and passed on a dynamic sense of humor. He never once put himself first and made his kids, along with his cherished wife of 40 years, Andrea, feel like the most important people in the world. He would always say his proudest achievement in life was his family, and he loved Andrea unconditionally. She honored their vows until the end, caring for Phil with the utmost attention from diagnosis to his passing. They provided the greatest example of mutual and enduring love possible for their children.

Outside of his family and his work, Phil loved the Baltimore Orioles, extravagant Christmas lights, satiating his endless curiosity, watching Jeopardy!, woodworking, making his yard beautiful, kayaking with his dogs and traveling with Andrea. He had so much left to do and see. His family will take him with them wherever they go.

He is survived by his wife, Andrea; his kids Kelsea (Peter), Chloe (Mac) and Jackson (Emily); his brother Pete (Nancy) and several in-laws, nieces and nephews who revered him. He is preceded in death by his parents, Johannes and Ruth, his brother Hans, and mother-in-law Ruth Abbott.

There simply aren’t enough positive words to describe Phil and his impact. He made the world a better place, and inspired people to live with more patience and understanding. Never one to give up, he lived with his principles until the very end, defying prognosis and fighting to stay with his family as long as he possibly could. His favorite saying, one he would impart to his kids before school most mornings, was “do good things.”

We will live by this for the rest of our lives in his honor.

A celebration of life will be held on Thursday, June 5, 2025, at 2 PM at Shady Grove United Methodist Church - Short Pump (4825 Pouncey Tract Rd, Glen Allen, VA).