Phil Konstantin

Morris Phillip Konstantin (born 1952) is an American journalist and author. Konstantin has also worked as computer operator for NASA during the Apollo 16 and Apollo 17 moon landings, as a California Highway Patrol officer,, and as a TV reporter.
Early life
Konstantin was born in Houston, Texas in 1952. His parents are Morris Benjamin Konstantin, Jr, and Lila Beatrice Adair. His family (parents and younger brothers Michael and Milton) moved from Houston to Pasadena, Texas in 1961. While in high school, he attended both Sam Rayburn and Pasadena High Schools. He received training in computer systems at Pasadena High, and graduated from Sam Rayburn in 1971. He attended Rice University in Houston, Texas - 1975—1977, attended San Diego State University from 1989—1991, graduating with a B.A. in Political Science.
Career
Aerospace industry
In 1972, as a recent high school graduate, Konstantin began his career as a computer operator, working for Lockheed Electronics at the Johnson Space Center in Houston. During his two-and-a-half years with the defense contractor, he operated computers (IBM 360, model 75J) and peripheral equipment directly related to the final two Apollo flights, and all four Skylab missions. This was in the Real Time Computer Complex, directly below the Mission Operations Control Room.
Broadcasting industry
Between 1973 and 1979, Konstantin produced and hosted weekly public affairs radio programs through the Houston and Pasadena Jaycees. These thirty- and 60-minute programs aired on several radio stations, including KULF, KYND, KIKK, KILT AND KTRH. He also had a daily talk show on KPAC radio. In 1977, he started a 15-minute interview program for Rice University (titled "To The Point"), which was syndicated through the Texas State radio network. During this time, he also had a minor role in the movie "Futureworld"; his speaking parts were edited out of the movie.
Law enforcement
In 1985, Konstantin joined the California Highway Patrol as an officer trainee.
His first eighteen months were in Los Angeles. He then patrolled the roads of San Diego until 1990. While a patrol officer, Konstantin received several of the CHP's 10851 Auto Theft Awards. In 1989, Mothers Against Drunk Driving honored him for his efforts to remove impaired drivers from the roads.
The year 1990 saw Konstantin transfer into the Public Affairs Department for the CHP's Border Division. Here, he helped organize public-education campaigns, wrote speeches for CHP management, and gave on-air media interviews. In 1997, Konstantin took over the position of Media Information Officer at the newly constructed Transportation Management Center. There, he answered media inquiries and gave daily radio and TV traffic reports on KGTV-TV.
Return to broadcasting
Upon retirement from the CHP in 2005, He was on KSUI's air until October 2009, when he became the assignment editor.
In 2010, Konstantin next became a helicopter-based reporter for KGTV-TV. Some of his video reports were used nationally on ABC's Good Morning America and ABC World News and on ESPN (Cruise ship towed back to San Diego; KFMB Sea World Orca dies, KFMB Escondido Bomb House burned; San Diego flooding 12/2010; etc.). His coverage of Junior Seau's death was featured on both ABC and NBC Nightly News in 2012. Konstantin left KGTV when they switched helicopter companies in early 2013.
Within weeks, Konstantin joined the reporter/photographers flying in Chopper 8 for KFMB-TV. His reports were heard on KFMB, and seen on most of the other TV stations in San Diego.
Taking to the road
Konstantin retired from KFMB in 2016, and began traveling across the United States, documenting his journey online.
Bibliography
Konstantin has written numerous articles for newspapers and magazines, including Southwest Airlines in-flight magazine. This included interviews with Isaac Asimov, Stephen King and Wally Schirra
In 1996, Konstantin began work on a website dedicated to American Indian history, events, and culture: . The website was one of the first comprehensive websites dedicated to American Indian matters. It receives over 1,000 visits a day, on average (according to "Share This" website).
In 2002, his first book was published by Da Capo Press: This Day In North American Indian History. This book lists over 5000 events in American Indian history. It also includes material on the meaning of tribal names, alternative tribal names, and information on native calendars. This book received good reviews.
He has contributed articles to two encyclopedias on American Indian history ("Native America: From Prehistory To First Contact", and "Treaties With American Indians").
Six of the twenty-four chapters of Native American History for Dummies were written by Konstantin.
His fifth book The Wacky World of Laws was written with Jeff "The Lawyer In Blue Jeans" Isaac. Excerpts from this book were read on NBC's Today show in September 2009.
Civic life
In 1971, he was a member of the Houston Symphony Chorale.
In the early 1970s, the city of Pasadena only allowed people to become candidates for public office if they paid a filing fee. Konstantin felt that other, non-monetary methods (such as petitions), should also be allowed. He filed a suit against the city. On February 7, 1973, the U.S. Federal Court in Houston declared Pasadena's filing fee requirement to be unconstitutional. The ruling suggested candidates be allowed access to the ballot by paying a fee, filing a petition, or declaring themselves to be paupers.
In the mid 1970s, he served on the Library Board for the Pasadena Texas Public Library. His name appears on the dedication plaque on Pasadena's main library building. He was also on the Board of Directors for the Pasadena Jaycees during this time.
Konstantin is one of the founding members of the San Diego Cherokee Community.
Until 2016, he served on the Education and Exhibits Committee at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center in San Diego.
On June 5, 2009, "Officer Phil" had his foot-long ponytail cut off on live TV. He donated it to Pantene's Beautiful Lengths program to make wigs for people undergoing chemotherapy.
April 6, 2016 was proclaimed "Phil Konstantin Day" in San Diego, California by the Mayor and City Council for his contributions to the community.
On April 16, 2016, Konstantin was added to the Sam Rayburn High School Hall of Honor.
Personal life
Konstantin has mixed European and American Indian ancestry. Through his mother's side of the family, he is Cherokee. He is an enrolled member of the Cherokee Nation.
In 1971, he married Sandra Kay Lewis. In 1972, his first child. A few years later, Konstantin and Sandra divorced.
In 1980, he married Deanna Lynn Chambers and moved to California. Deanna already had a daughter, Heidi Lynn Chambers. In 1981, he and Deanna had a child named Sarah Beth Nicole Konstantin. The marriage ended in a divorce in 1985.
In 1997, Konstantin married his long-time friend, Robyn Amsel Mellon. Robyn died in a vehicle collision on April 6, 1999 when she fell asleep behind the wheel. Konstantin has proposed April 6 as Drowsy Driver Awareness Day in California. and via Facebook for his followers.

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