Philip Wallace Payne passed away peacefully in the presence of family on 12th June 2022.

Born in outer Long Island, New York on February 23, 1927, he led a remarkable life full of adventure. As a young boy, his family moved to Las Vegas, Nevada. From an early age, Philip was insatiably curious, studying the desert geology and wildlife as a kid.

He graduated from the University of Nevada Reno and enlisted in the US Army at the conclusion of WW II. While stationed in Okinawa, he was selected to attend West Point, which he briefly did. However, the ever independently-minded Philip soon left the prestigious military academy. He wandered the US west, looking for himself.

After a first marriage, he married Margery Schreiber and began what would be a long and successful career in the rocket industry. Together with their three daughters, he moved to the United Kingdom as part of the team installing cold-war missiles.

After another divorce, he married Helga Dähling, a German refugee, and set off on a two-year sailing sabbatical across the Atlantic Ocean. Following the arrival of two more sons with Helga, he returned to California and eventually Lompoc as a test conductor for rocket launches from Vandenberg Air Force base.

During his first stay in Lompoc, he started the city's first scuba shop and was active in the diving club. Philip was subsequently transferred to Cape Kennedy to manage Delta rocket launches from both the Cape and Vandenberg. However, he and his wife's hearts were always in Lompoc and they returned permanently in 1984.

After his wife of 40 years passing, Philip found companionship with Veronika Mills for the remainder of his days. He will be remembered as a free-spirited and inventive maverick by the many people who he influenced during his life.

Philip is survived by his three daughters, Cynthia, Emily and Melissa, his sons Andros and Alexander, 12 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.