Richard Michael Pipkin

1936 - 2025

Richard Michael Pipkin

April 5, 1936 - February 14, 2025

Chapel Hill, North Carolina - Richard Michael Pipkin, known to friends and family as "Mike," passed away peacefully and surrounded by loved ones at home the morning of Friday, February 14, 2025.

Mike was born in Statesville, NC to Robert Glenn Pipkin, Sr. and Elizabeth Holler Pipkin. He attended Statesville High School where he played football and was an undefeated, multi-year state champion wrestler. Statesville was also where Mike met the love of his life, Barbara Dearman, on June 8, 1950. Eventually, Barbara "pinned" the multi-year state champion wrestler and they married in 1956. Mike never referred to that final match as a loss, but as his finest victory.

Following high school graduation, Mike attended UNC Chapel Hill, Furman, and graduated from Wofford University. He initially entered into the Air Force wanting to become a pilot. He soon transitioned to the Navy, finishing first in his flight school class. After receiving orders to transfer to a new base, Mike arrived there only to be told not to unpack because he had been selected to become a NASA astronaut. While Mike never made it into outer space, he participated in an Apollo program investigating long term space travel, spending 34 days isolated in a chamber.

After NASA, Mike achieved his dream of becoming a commercial airline pilot and was hired by Pan American World Airways. He remained in the naval reserves and flew C-130s in Vietnam. He later retired from the Navy, ascending to the rank of Commander.

After his wife gave birth to their youngest child, Mike was furloughed by Pan Am while living in New Jersey. He and his wife had discussed moving back down to North Carolina where they were both born and raised. He applied to UNC law school and UNC dental school and was accepted into both. He chose law school because of the faster track to completion. He finished law school in two years and a summer session, passing the bar exam even before finishing his final law school credits.

Mike focused on real estate law, wills and estate planning. For friends he would delve into other areas of the law if they requested his representation.

In the mid-1980s, Pan Am called Mike back to work. He worked at his law practice from Monday through Friday and flew round trip commercial flights from JFK to multiple European destinations, returning in time on late Sunday or early Monday to resume work at his law practice. Mike was retained as a pilot when Delta Airlines purchased Pan Am's European routes and hubs. He continued the pilot-lawyer balance until he retired from Delta around 2001, having accumulated over 40,000 hours of flight time.

He enjoyed family beach trips during the summers at Pawleys Island, South Carolina. His children, nieces and nephews all enjoyed his "door tricks." Wherever there was a sliding glass door on a porch, that open space became Mike's stage to entertain his family and friends.

Mike Pipkin is survived by two sons, David Pipkin (Adonna) of Hampstead, and Dr. Eben "Alex" Alexander, III (Karen Newell) of Charlottesville VA; his grandchildren, Charlie McKinney of Charlotte, Isabella Pipkin and Samantha Pipkin of Hampstead, Dr. Eben Alexander, IV, of Fort Collins, Colorado and Carter Bond Alexander of Longmont, Colorado.

He was preceded in death by his parents Robert Glenn Pipkin, Sr. and Elizabeth Holler Pipkin, his brother Robert Glenn Pipkin, Jr., his sisters, Anne Pipkin Willig, Nancy Pipkin Burkhart, his two daughters, Elizabeth Lee (Betsy) Pipkin Michels, Kathryn Pipkin McKinney, and his wife of 65 years, Barbara Dearman Pipkin.

A viewing/reception will be held by the family at Walker's Funeral Home located at 11680 US Highway 15-501 N in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, on Friday February 21, 2025 beginning at 2:00 p.m. A service honoring his life will begin at 2:45 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial may be made to UNC-Chapel Hill MURAP (Moore Undergraduate Research Apprenticeship Program) Elizabeth Michels Memorial Fund (program code: 101462).