A December 26, 1962, newspaper article reported on Philbrook's varied occupational experiences: "At various times, he's been a miner, a rodeo performer, a gym instructor, a writer, a photographer — you name, he's done it with various degrees of success."[3]
Military service
Philbrook was an aviation electronics specialist for the Navy for four years during the Korean War.[3] He was stationed in Africa, the Aleutian Islands, China, Europe, and India.[1]
Personal life
Philbrook was married to the former Frances Cassling. They had four children.[4]