Philip Rendle Dyer, 62

Wickford, R.I.

Philip Rendle Dyer set off on his final journey on May 14, 2020 at age 62. Upon completion of treatment for pancreatic cancer at Dana-Farber, he was cared for in his home by his family and friends, with assistance from Hope Hospice of Rhode Island.

Philip was born into a long line of sailors, artists and adventurers on April 3, 1958 in Cornwall, England, and was raised in South Australia.

After a gap year before university, Philip completed his first ocean passage from Australia to the UK. Philip then completed degrees in entomology and horticulture at Adelaide University. While competing in the 1986 America’s Cup Defender Series, onboard South Australia with his brother Andrew, he met Sharon, who would become his wife six months later. They had two sons, James and Tristan, and settled in Newport, R.I.

After working in the marine industry for several years, he transitioned to the corporate world and lived in Australia and Canada before returning to the United States. He founded two landscape and design construction companies; Garden Living Space in Australia and Dyer Design in Rhode Island.

Philip was also a master solo kayaker, and at age 40 he ran a half-marathon, and then at age 50 a full-marathon. He continued boat racing, both long and short distance races on Temptation and on the 12 meter Victory. Both crews expressed deep admiration and respect for Philip, not only because of his skill as a sailor and mentor, but for the great yarns he would tell on the long night watches. Philip was an active member with the New York Yacht Club as well as the Ida Lewis Yacht Club and Storm Trysail Club.

Philip also restored his beloved 1804 home and garden in Wickford, R.I. He was designing and planning until the very end of his life. While a man who lived many lives in one, he was above all a dedicated family man, and nothing compared to the love and admiration he had for his sons James and Tristan.