Robert Hagerman Tripp

Robert Hagerman Tripp, 88, of Palmer, Alaska, was born in Washington, D.C., to Brigadier General Robert C. Tripp and Effie S. Tripp, and passed away on Friday, January 30, 2026. He was married to Carol L. Tripp for 57 years, and was known to family and friends as Bob, living a life defined by service, adventure, intelligence, and a deep love of family and the outdoors. Bob's childhood was unique. As a military dependent, he lived in post-war Germany, arriving at just eight years old in 1946, when much of the country was still rebuilding from the devastation of World War II. That experience shaped his perspective and gave him a lifelong appreciation for history, resilience, and the world beyond the familiar. He also learned German during those years, a skill that stayed with him for life. Bob attended Paris American High School and Andover High School before continuing on to the United States Military Academy at West Point, graduating in 1960 and receiving his commission as an officer in the U.S. Army. While at West Point, he was a member of the rifle and pistol teams, a reflection of the focus, precision, and discipline that remained part of who he was throughout his life. He served with distinction in the 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) as a Green Beret, at a time when the Special Forces units were still in their earliest chapters. His military career included service connected to the Berlin Crisis surrounding the construction of the Berlin Wall, with duties that took him into East Berlin. He also trained alongside elements of the French Foreign Legion in sabotage, and completed deployments in Saudi Arabia. During his tenure in the Army, Bob earned the rank of captain, and finished out his service with the 12th Special Forces Group (Airborne), U. S. Army Reserve in California. Following his military service, Bob built a respected and far-reaching career as a civil engineer specializing in cost and scheduling engineering. He spent many years with Bechtel Corporation, contributing to major infrastructure and energy projects across the United States and Canada. His work took him to Southern California, Page, Arizona (where he worked on the Navajo Power Station), and to northern Quebec as part of the La Grande Rivière hydroelectric project (LG-2), including time in Montreal. He eventually brought his expertise to Alaska, working on the Bradley Lake Hydroelectric Project near Homer, and later continued his professional career as a consultant with Mactec in Anchorage until his retirement. Over the course of his life, Bob lived in many places, but wherever he went, he carried the same traits: integrity, discipline, competence, curiosity, and a sharp sense of humor. Outside of work, Bob was an avid outdoorsman. He loved hunting, fishing, boating, camping, and shooting, and he passed those passions down to his three sons. Bob also had a deep love of dogs, and they were always part of his life and considered true members of the family. He received his first dog - a German Shepherd - when he was eight years old, and from that point on, he rarely lived without a loyal canine companion by his side. He was also a gifted storyteller, with impeccable comedic timing - the kind that could have an entire room laughing until they cried. Bob is survived by his beloved wife, Carol L. Tripp; his three sons, Charles M. Tripp, Donald C. Tripp, and Robert B. Tripp; his granddaughters, Miesha Adams (Tripp), Brenna Tripp, Laura Hales (Tripp), Sarah Tripp and Anya Tripp; and his great-granddaughter, Teagan Sayer. Bob will be remembered for his service, his brilliant mind, his adventurous spirit, and his ability to make the people around him feel both protected and entertained. His legacy lives on through the family he loved, the stories he told, and the places he helped build.