Remembering Philip Weiss, co-founder of adaptive tech start-up for people with disabilities

Philip Weiss. Courtesy of his family

Philip Weiss passed away on Jan. 25 at the age of 38, after a courageous lifelong battle with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. He died peacefully surrounded by loved ones.

Philip was a computer engineer who graduated from the UC Berkeley in 2010 with a degree in electrical engineering and computer science. He worked at Cisco Systems and co-founded PTW Design & Development with his father Richard, a start-up dedicated to developing adaptive technologies for people with disabilities.

He was an endlessly curious inventor and problem-solver, from creating programs and 3D printing to troubleshooting everyone’s computer issues. Philip, or Phil, achieved these things despite immense adversity due to his disability. He managed his own complex medical needs and a team of round-the-clock caregivers, and advised other Duchenne patients online. He never ceased to amaze those around him with his deep intellect, sensitivity, and tenacity.

Weiss sits with his dog PupPup on his lap. Credit: Pilar Kearney

Beyond his accomplishments, Phil was a gentle soul — he was an exacting, loyal and compassionate person with an unwavering moral compass and subtle sense of humor. In his last years, though he was unable to eat or swallow because he had a tracheostomy, he still managed to enjoy food through “swishing” beverages and broth, and wrote soup recipes. A sci-fi nerd, he loved Star Wars and space, The Matrix, doing the daily Wordle, winning at Scrabble and finding a good deal.

His greatest joy was his partner, Pilar, who he met in 2020. They lived together from 2021 until his passing, later joined by their dog, PupPup.

Philip is survived by his father Richard, his mother Nancy, and younger sister Laura. If you feel moved to do so, please direct donations to Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy.