Rick Kipp

The rasp in his voice, the quick-witted twinkle in his eye, and the fighter spirit have all fallen silent with the passing of Rick Kipp.

Rick was born Nov. 21, 1950, to Eddie and Elsie (Steffan) Kipp of Bridger. He was the baby brother to older sisters Sharon and Marcia. He loved to remind Marcia that she was older.

As a young boy, he wanted to be a cowboy and ride bucking broncs, but the Army whispered his name. He enlisted with his friend Bill Bernhardt and off to Vietnam they went. His tour ended just as he was up for Green Beret.

Upon his return, he met his sister Marcia's new friend Frankie Kohler, and they were fast in love and soon married. The two had a baby girl, Tracy. She was the apple of his eye!

He later married Kathy Kaufman, and they had a son, Shawn. He proudly referred to him as "My Son"!! After their divorce and prior to her passing, the two were able to reconnect have a great friendship.

He took pride in a hard day's work and enjoyed working with his hands. He had various construction jobs over his life, working as a foreman on jobs such as St. Vincent Hospital, Bauer Construction and Fisher Construction. He also loved helping his family with home improvement projects. In retirement, he enjoyed watching his grandkids play sports and roughhouse. He enjoyed a cold beer, a long drag on a cigarette, a day betting on the horses with his buddies or taking a quick drive to Riverton, Wyo., for a chance to win it big.

He is preceded in death by his parents and sister, Sharon Schneider.

He is survived by sister Marcia (Gale) Birge; daughter Tracy Kipp; son Shawn (Ali) Kipp and grandkids Dalton, Dacee, Dain, Dax and Decklan.

Cremation has taken place. Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, May 9, at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary. Interment with military honors will follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens.