Frank E. Kipp

1925 - 2020

Frank E. Kipp, 95, died peacefully at his home in Sorrento surrounded by family on Dec. 8, 2020. A member of the Greatest Generation, he survived severe wounds in the Battle of the Bulge during World War II and went on to become a successful business owner before engaging in a long and vigorous retirement that featured an extraordinary list of volunteer activities.

Frank was born on Sept. 3, 1925, in Webster Groves, MO, the son of Charles Kenneth and Lillian Schenck Kipp. He was a teenager when he enlisted in the Army during WWII and became a member of a mine-sweeping unit. In 1944 an exploding mine killed other members of his unit during the Battle of the Bulge and wounded Frank so extensively that his comrades nicknamed him "Buck-shot Frank" because of the considerable shrapnel wounds. He returned to the St. Louis area following the end of the war and in 1946 married Mary ("Mollie") Gerell, a union that lasted 60 years until her death at 82 in 2006. In 1958 the family moved to Florida to start Keeman Brick, a construction material supply company in Pompano Beach. The company was sold in 1975 and a retirement of volunteerism began.

Habitat For Humanity named him Volunteer of the Year for one of the many years he spent constructing homes and other facilities. Following Hurricane Katrina in 2005 he participated in the Thrivent Disaster Relief program in New Orleans and he made two trips to Guatemala to build medical facilities under a program sponsored by Holy Cross Lutheran Church of Lake Mary, FL. He also engaged in construction projects for The Cross, the church he attended faithfully in Mt. Dora, FL. He was known as someone who was always eager to lend a hand and he astonished everyone with his physical capabilities despite his age. His life was a model of humility, love and friendship that will be missed and remembered.

Frank and Mollie reared two daughters, Donna Hawley (Mark) of Brighton, MI, and Robyne Kipp of Sorrento. He is also survived by three grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. Cremation has taken place and remains will be divided for interment at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell and in a family plot in Oak Hill Cemetery, St. Louis. Memorial donations are requested in his name to The Cross in Mt. Dora, where a remembrance service will take place in January.