Philip Ross Caput

Phil was born in 1946 in Watsonville, California to Croatian parents, William and Pauline Rosovich. He earned a bachelor's degree in history and physical education from CSU Sacramento and later served in the U.S. Navy during Vietnam as a signal man aboard the USS Higbee from 1968 to 1972.

After his service Phil received his teaching credential from CSU Hayward and was selected for a teaching program in Australia in 1975. Three weeks before leaving he met Lynndee; 4 months later she joined him in Australia, where they married in Dromana, Victoria.

Phil and Lynndee spent 10 years overseas teaching and doing missionary work in Vanuatu and supporting immigrant and refugee settlements. Their three children, Will, Steve, and Maree were born in Australia. Returning to the U.S. in 1985 Phil earned his masters degree and served as a principal in a Catholic school for eight years.

He then received his school administration Credential at Fresno Pacific College. He served as assistant principal at Riverdale High School and then at Las Plumas High School in Oroville, California where the family settled in 1995.

After retirement he was a substitute teacher in elementary schools, junior high schools and high school special education until the age of 74.

Phil enjoyed gardening with Lynndee, reading, Croatian history and language and staying fit. He leaves a legacy of generosity, humility, kindness, romance, adventure, humor, grit, and devotion.

He is survived by his wife, Lynndee; sons, Will and Steve; daughter, Maree; brother, Greg (Carmen) Caput; sister, Charlene Hawkins; nephews, Mark Hawkins, Robert Caput; nieces, Pauline Caput, Christine Caput, Lorraine Caput, Claire Caput; and cousins, Nick Matulich, John Kasanavich, Mato Paljetak, Joan "DeDe" Elder and her children, Jennifer and Jamie.

He was buried with full military honors in Oroville, CA.

Published in The Pajaronian · March 3, 2026