Richard 'Rip' Ripken

Rip, Nancy, and the family raised my first guide dog, Karl, and, although we haven't kept in touch very well after Karl passed, the Ripkens are among the finest people it's ever been my pleasure to know. I'll always remember that Rip introduced me to pluots, and that he told me that "Guide dogs have the best job in the world. All a dog wants to do is to take his human for a walk, and guide dogs get to do that every day!" The world is a much better place for Rip having been here. Safe...

Richard was a mentor and friend. It started with the mildew and leafing trial, where he generously devoted time, labor and crop to improve the quality of Lodi grapes. His leadership was infectious and so was his smile. He was a huge part of the success of Lodi. I will miss him.

If not for Rip there would not be the successful sitiuation we are in today; with growing Lodi wines and wineries....he made it happen with a voice that chuckled!
David Lucas