Irvin S. Kipper

1916 - 2016

November 13, 1916 - April 21, 2016 Irvin S. Kipper, affectionately known to generations of Los Angeles grandparents, parents and kids simply as "KIP," died on April 21, 2016 at the age of 99. Kip was born in Fort Worth, Texas. In the early 1920's his family moved to Los Angeles. He graduated from LA's Jefferson High School as Valedictorian. While working in downtown LA, he became infatuated with the mechanized displays of toys in department store windows, which would have a great effect on his life. In 1944, Kip enlisted in the US Army Air Corps, attended officer training school and ultimately became a pilot of a B-17 Flying Fortress names the Purdy Gertie after his wife, Gertrude, to whom he was married for 77 years. While on his 26th mission over Italy, his plane was damaged by enemy flack causing him and his crew to abandon the plane over Bologna, Italy on October 12, 1944. He was captured and spent the duration of the war in Stalag Luft III and Stalag VII as a Nazi prisoner of war. His camp was ultimately liberated by troops commanded by General George Patton in August 1945. Upon returning to Los Angeles and reuniting with Gertrude, he purchased a small store selling flags and dolls in October 1945. This was the beginning of Kip's Toyland, still in business today as Los Angeles' oldest toy store. Kip is survived by his wife Gertrude Kipper, sons Don (Vicki) and Robert (Carolyn) and grandchildren Andrew, Lily, Natalie and Elliot. Services are scheduled for Monday, April 25, 2016 at 1:00 p.m., at Hillside Memorial Park, 6001 W. Centinela Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90045. In lieu of flowers, please direct your thoughts to Toys for Tots.