Ronald Rippey

August 17, 2024

Eagle, Idaho - We are sad to announce the passing of our father, Ronald Rippey, of Eagle at the age of 91. Ron was born to Roscoe and Autom (Paxton) Rippey on January 30, 1933 in Parma, Idaho at the site of the current Parma Post & Pole. He was the fourth child of five to be born into the family, joining older siblings Ardice & Dencil and the memories of two additional siblings who died in infancy.

Ron attended Parma High School, where he played tennis and excelled in academics, graduating in 1950 as the class Salutatorian. He maintained contact and close friendships with many of his former classmates throughout his lifetime. Following in the footsteps of his father, Ron was a hard working man. His early jobs included topping beets, working at the Parma Water Lifter, cowboying for local ranchers, and working with his family providing rental horses at a dude ranch during the summers in McCall. In April 1953, he was "invited" into the US Army where he served in the 434th Engineer Construction Battalion during the Korean War. He received multiple commendations for his work on the 55th Quartermaster fire in Pusan. Ron began his career with the US Forest Service in 1956 and would remain with the Forest Service until his retirement in 1991. Over the years his job titles there ranged from "catskinner", "motor grader operator", "master blaster", and finally as the Supervisor for all roads and bridges in the Boise National Forest. If you've driven a dirt road, crossed a bridge, or stayed in a campground in the Boise National Forest, odds are that Ron had a hand in building it. His children have wonderful memories of time spent with Dad in the forest while camping out at his jobsites. Always a humble man, Ron was horrified to hear his children claim that he single-handedly built the forest, but that's the family legend and we aren't backing down.

Ron met Elaine Munden at the B & B Cafe in Parma where she worked as a cook. Following a very short engagement, the two were married on April 20, 1963, in a union that would last their lifetimes. They were blessed with three children, Mike, Shari, and Tracy. The family made their home on Eagle Island providing idyllic childhoods to their children who rode bicycles and ponies from dusk to dawn. Ron and Elaine made close lifetime friendships with their neighbors.As the children grew, Ron & Elaine were always involved in their activities. They served as 4-H and scout leaders and as rodeo club parents. Ron was a loving and devoted father who was immensely proud of his children. Even in their adulthood he was quick to jump to the rescue when necessary, be it car trouble, faulty plumbing, or wayward livestock. Ron enjoyed team roping, family brandings, his 1964 Harley Sprint, and tacos. In his younger years, he enjoyed pheasant and deer hunting. Sadly, at the age of four, Tracy ruined all of that with her tears over a harvested deer. Dad said it just wiped out any desire he had for hunting ever again (sorry, Dad). Upon retirement from the USFS, Ron obtained a part-time job working for Beef Northwest as an equipment operator. In a tragic accident involving failure of a hydraulic unit on a backhoe, Ron was severely injured, losing one eye and suffering severe vision damage in the other eye. Despite the pain and suffering he endured, he was never once heard to complain. As grandchildren came along, Ron & Elaine found their true calling. Ron taught each of them to play pattycake as he bounced them on his knee and told the family story of Cubby Bear countless times. Their grandkids have great memories of time spent at Grandma & Grandpa's house, trips to the Oregon Coast, and the annual family pilgrimage to the Pendleton Roundup.

When Elaine's health failed her, Ron tirelessly cared for her for many years. His loving care demonstrated unconditional love and what it should truly mean when you say "for better or worse". With the help of St. Luke's Hospice, he was able to keep Elaine at home until her passing in 2015. Even at the age of 91, Ron lived independently in the family home on Eagle Island, managing his own affairs, caring for his horses, driving his new tractor, and going through endless weedeaters along the ditchbanks. It should be noted that Dad especially loved a good head of irrigation water. He was a master of creative inventions, often involving duct tape or baling twine. Following a brief illness involving numerous short hospital stays, Ron returned home for the final time under the care of old friends from St. Luke's Hospice. He passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by his daughters and niece, Christina, who had worked together to provide for his care in the final days. True to Dad's nature, his final words were "I love you". Ron was preceded in death by his parents, siblings, and beloved wife. Left to mourn him are his children Mike (Dana) of Greenleaf, Shari (Bill) of Notus, and Tracy (Randy) of Greenleaf. In addition to their own children, Ron & Elaine also claimed a few extras including Melody (Greg) Shelton of Spanaway, Washington and James Bailey. Ron was grandpa to Judd, Smoky, Clint, Jacob, Amanda, Skyler, Leslie, Jocee, Emmett, Levi, "bonus" grandchildren, Bonny, Luke, & Amber and a cherished lot of great grandchildren. Ron will also be missed by many very special nieces, nephews, friends, and neighbors.

Graveside service will be held Friday, August 23, 2024 at 11:00 AM at the Parma Cemetery, Parma, Idaho under the direction of Dakan Funeral Chapel. Memorial luncheon to follow.

We will miss you, Dad. Love you most.