Robert Downes RIPPE

RIPPE, Robert Downes

Robert Downes Rippe passed away peacefully on December 19, 2013 at Hospice in Jupiter, Florida. Robert (Bob) was born in Norwalk, Connecticut on August 25, 1924. Bob grew up on the family farm in Westport, Connecticut, helping to start the family business, Rippe Farms Markets. He attended the University of Connecticut where he met his wife of 48 years, Harriette Smith Rippe (Skip). While at UConn, Bob was an active member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. After graduation in 1949, Bob took a position with Del Monte Foods where he worked for 33 years until his retirement. During his career, Bob and Skip lived in many locales in addition to Westport, including Marcellus, New York; Hawthorne, New York; Cincinnati, Ohio; and Charlotte, North Carolina. Upon retirement in Charlotte, they enjoyed traveling the world and focusing on their family. Bob spent endless hours in his lush vegetable garden every year. Bob moved to Tequesta, Florida in 2002 where he lived until his death. Throughout his life, he was a loving son, brother, husband, father, and grandfather. He is survived by his son Robert D. Rippe, Jr. and daughter-in-law Mary Alice Rippe; son Scott H. Rippe and daughter-in-law Jill Rippe; daughter Dale R. Krause and son-in-law Kenneth Krause; and, his sister Eleanor Huntington and brother-in-law Jon Huntington. He is also survived by grandchildren Elizabeth Valle, Carolyn Rippe, Margaret Rippe, Robert H. Rippe, Matthew Rippe, John Rippe, Megan Mitcham, and Drew Krause. A memorial service will be held at 3:00 P.M. Monday, December 30th at the First Presbyterian Church of Tequesta, 482 Tequesta Drive, Tequesta, FL. The family requests that donations be made to the church at the address above, or to Hospice of Palm Beach County, 5300 East Avenue, West Palm Beach, FL 33407. For online condolences please visit www.taylorandmodeen.com

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