Orpha Mae Ripperger

My mother, Irene Smith Witherspoon, Aunt Orphas next older sibling, always said I was just like her. I hope and fear thats both good and not so good. I have taught for 54 years, published scores of books and articles, directed many doctoral dissertations, reared two sons, one a Chicago attorney, the other the computer chip designer who participated in the design of Deep Blue, the computer that beat the Russian chess master. I have four grandchildren, one a computer scientist in Seattle, one...

My memories of my aunt Orpha - She was one of the strongest and most loving women that a guy was privelaged to have in his life. I remember as a young man of 8 years of age of staying with her and Clem and being treated as a son with as much love as they would or could have given there own son. They made sure that I was able to go and visit my Dad when he was in the hospital which ment a great deal to me. I have gone back to find the home that they lived in and was able to remember the good...

I write one more time. I wanted to do this to share an experience which I felt should go into this lasting memory "Guest Book".

I was about four and a half years old. I was visiting, with my mother, Aunt Orpha and Uncle Clem at their home in Portland. I remember being back in their bedroom. I think I was in there to check out the perfume and pretty things on her dresser. I was a "Curious George".
Aunt Orpha came in to ask if I wanted to play with some neighborhood...

My mother, Irene Smith Witherspoon, Aunt Orpha's older sister, always said that I was much more like Orpha than like her (my mom). Mom meant that I was strong-willed, free thinking, independent, and smart. We both admired Aunt Orpha for her strong example and her constant wit. I have always hoped that I am at least a little bit like her.

Aunt Orpha taught me many things, but the best was not to drive fast. As she SPED along in her little VW in Portland, she always said to be safe and drive safely. I will always think of her when I put the gas peddle on a little hard
The second was independence. What a wonderful independent lady she was. Her independence kept her going and loving life, even as she aged.....May we all learn from her and remember her words of wisdom. I am so thankful that I was able to talk with her on...

We've lost our matriarch. Orpha was always there, a treasure, mostly unrecognized (and she'd like it that way...). Always straight forward, yet kind, always ready to help if she could. When my twins were small she was so very helpful at a time when I needed it most. She made curtains for me, she would clean or run errands for me or just give me a much needed break from two lively babies. In later years when I mentioned it to her, she looked at me as if I was silly to thank her -in her mind...

To all of my dear Aunt Orpha's family:

What a great woman. She will be missed for who she was; her spirit, generosity, and wisdom always prevailed, and I am one to hope she is long remembered for this. I have and always will have the fondest memories of her. I will cherish those. She was always so good and kind to me. I hope to pay her spirit of that forward to other loved ones. I loved her very much. She is in sweet dreams now...she is there...