Phil Langner was born in Hackensack and grew up in Westwood, New Jersey. He attended Westwood High School. His family was patriotic, with a record of exemplary military service, his older brothers having served in the Army Air Force, Navy and Marines. His brother Robert Langner (United States Marine Corps) made the ultimate sacrifice on Iwo Jima in 1945.
This legacy prompted Mr. Langner to enlist, signing up with the United States Army in July 1958, receiving basic training at Fort Dix. He was then sent to Fort Bliss, Texas, to the 6th Artillery Headquarters where he served as a motor pool mechanic. Mr. Langner was honorably discharged in July 1964.
He married Doris (who has now passed) in January 1960 and moved to Park Ridge in 1962. They had two children, Kim and Kevin (who has also passed away), and raised their family in Park Ridge. Phil worked as a United Association Plumbers and Pipefitters 13 union plumber for over 50 years, mainly with Robert Shaw Controls and RLA Associates, retiring in 2001.
He is a 57 year member of the Park Ridge Elks Club and has served as an Exalted Ruler, District Deputy, and State Trustee. He has been a member of the American Legion Post 162 in Hillsdale for 30 years. Following a fire in 2003, Phil served as Chairman of the Renovation Committee that rebuilt the building. He went on to serve as Commander from 2012 to 2019 and oversaw the expansion and renovation of the “Hut” entrances and office. He is now a Trustee and Chairman of the Buildings and Grounds Committee. Phil serves as the Post Finance Officer, regularly supporting others committees at the Post.
As far as personal interests go, Mr. Langner is a car buff. He has been the President of the Rockland Rodders Auto club for the last 4 years, and is a very proud owner of his 1929 Model A Ford and his 1966 Ford Galaxie XL convertible, which are featured at the front of Hillsdale’s Memorial Day parade each year. On Fridays during the summer months, he can be found at local car shows.
His main enjoyment is helping others and seeing them help themselves. Phil loves volunteering to help the veterans and special needs children. He runs the clothing drive at the Post that supports the Bergen County Tracers program for homeless veterans.
Thank you for your service, Mr. Langner.
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Bergen County Division of Veteran Services
The Division of Veterans Services was established in 1977 to provide resident veterans and their dependents with information and assistance in obtaining earned entitlements from federal, state, and local governments, as well as any that are available from the private sector.
Through a quarterly newsletter and direct client contact, the division provides Bergen’s veterans organizations and their auxiliaries and individual residents with up-to-date benefit information.
