Philip Horton Hasselvander

Philip Horton Hasselvander, Jr. passed away peacefully on Sunday afternoon, May 12, 2024, at the Heroes Hospice, Veteran’s Administration Medical Center, Durham, NC. He was 76 years old.

Phil was born to the late Philip Hasselvander, Sr. and the late Lucy Boyer Hasselvander on September 16, 1947, in Charlottesville, VA. His family moved to Radford, VA soon thereafter, and he spent his early years there. Later the family moved to the northern Virginia area, eventually settling in Woodbridge, VA, where Phil made many friends with whom he maintained lifelong ties. He attended Garfield High School, graduating in 1965. He also attended Northern Virginia Community College. It was during those years that he also decided to build upon several years of classical violin training and a deep passion for music to change direction musically. He embraced his love of rock and roll, blues, and surf music by becoming a professional guitarist. His plans were interrupted, however, by the Vietnam War and his draft status.

In 1967 Phil enlisted in the United States Army, and proudly served his country in Vietnam, where he trained to become a helicopter maintenance technician. Upon returning home, he embarked upon his musical career, and toured the country professionally with the Ronny Dove Revue and other musical ensembles for several years. A highlight during that time was performing as lead guitarist in a band that opened a show for Neil Diamond. He served for a time as a studio musician in Nashville, and taught guitar as a private instructor for several years. As the years passed, he felt it was time to embrace other career aspirations. He worked for Verizon in an administrative role for almost 20 years. In 2009 he retired but continued playing and singing in the northern Virginia area until moving to Danville in 2012. He soon became involved with a jam group in Durham, where he enjoyed great friendship and fun.

Phil is survived by his beloved wife, Carolyn. He is also survived by his brother Joseph Hasselvander of Chicopee, Massachusetts; his daughter, Melody Hasselvander-Derrickson of Warsaw, VA; his son Martin of Arlington, Texas; and his stepdaughter Dainan Gibson of Virginia Beach. He leaves behind to cherish his memory several cousins, who were very dear to him, and affectionately called him “Flip”. Phil has numerous friends throughout the country, many of whom are fellow musicians. His passing leaves a hole in the hearts of too many folks to count.

A celebration of Phil’s life will take place at Norris Funeral Home, West in Chapel, at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 16, 2024. The family will be available after the service to greet guests. The burial will be private. As Phil wished, he will be taken to Sunrise Burial Park in Dublin, VA, near Radford, to rest near his cherished mother and father and other members of his family.