Daniel Jay Kipper

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Ramona High School Ramona High School

Daniel Kipper Obituary

KIPPER, DANIEL JAY Died in a climbing accident on May 29, 2004 on Mount Sill in the High Sierras. He was an altruistic family man, extraordinary husband, very amateur guitar player, voracious rock climber, savvy business leader, connoisseur of homemade baked goods, sucker for hokey country music, spirited harmonica player, fly-fisherman, skilled handyman, lover of rhythm and blues and classic rock, and master craftsman. Born in Fort Collins, Colorado on September 20, 1950, he spent his formative years in Riverside, California and developed his passion for the outdoors as a boy scout. He rose through the ranks of that organization, eventually achieving Eagle Scout status at the age of 16. He graduated from Riverside's Ramona High School in 1968, gained acceptance into the Southern California Surveyors Joint Apprenticeship program, and landed his first job as a surveyor in 1969. By the end of his indenture, he settled into a position with Hawkins, Robertson and Associates and became party chief at the firm. In 1978, with the requisite educational and experience requirements, he successfully sat for the state surveyors exam. It was during this period that he met his wife-to-be Deborah Jo Brusca. After dating for three years, they memorialized their love in marriage on July 21, 1979. They had their first son Joshua, in 1981, and second son, Matthew, in 1985. Dan moved on to work for a larger firm. J.F. Davidson Associates, of which his father, Robert Kipper, was a partner. After becoming a partner himself, Dan went on to help found KCT Consultants, along with three dedicated individuals. During this transitional period, while shouldering his weight as a partner at JFD and later as a founding partner at KCT, he returned to school, graduating from the University of Redlands in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science in Business and Management. He was President at KCT, a thriving, multi-dimensional organization, and prided himself on his well-developed business relationships, and versatility as a business manager, land planner, and surveyor. Dan Kipper backpacked and climbed every range conceivable, big and small, difficult and easy, Mt, Rainier, Half Dome, the High Sierras, Tahquitz Rock, Mt. Rubidoux, etc. and ventured out, camping with his family, all over California and Oregon. He helped coach his children in their youth, playing soccer, baseball, and basketball, despite his complete lack of formal experience with those sports. Throughout their competitive careers, he was unabashedly their biggest fan. Around their home, he built nearly everything--desks, tables, chairs, drafting tables, dressers, sports training contraptions, bookshelves, scooters, skateboards, and an elevated, free-standing tree-house. His love for family and friends was unusual and inspiring. He is survived by his wife, Deborah; his sons, Matthew and Joshua; and brother, David Kipper. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Children's Center of the Inland Counties and the Daniel J. Kipper Memorial Civil Engineering Scholarship. Memorial Service Monday 6/7, 10am at St. Andrews Newman Center, Riverside.

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Published by The Press-Enterprise on Jun. 5, 2004.

Memories and Condolences
for Daniel Kipper

9 Entries

Roger Cunliffe-Owen

June 21, 2004

I worked with Dan at JFD from 88 - 91 and held him in the highest regard. I remember Dan as a very dedicated person who put in far too many hours at the office. I was shocked to see the announcement in the CELSOC newsletter and both my wife Irene and I wish to express our deepest sympathy to his wife and family.

Yvette Brewer

June 9, 2004

Dan hired me shortly after I arrived in California. That was during the time that "Secretary" was still politically correct terminology, and Administrative Professionals had not yet been invented. He was the youngest of the partners at J. F. Davidson, had never had a full-time assistant before, and had apparently suffered recently from some turnover with his part-time assistants. His only request was that I try to commit to the job for at least a year. Fifteen years later, through good and bad economies, the ultimate closure of JFD, and the foundry of his own company, I still worked for him. Over the years, my own job changed drastically along with a slew of new duties and fancier titles, but my reasons for staying remain the same. The was no one better to work for than Dan Kipper.

Dan had an incredible memory for phone numbers and dates, and during those first few years, never forgot my birthday or Secretary's Day. Later, he thoughtfully forgot my birthday. He always gave me tasteful and beautifully wrapped gifts -- a gift basket, or music box, pearl earrings one year. I suspected that his wife Deb had a hand in the selection and presentation. Shortly after my husband and I had our first child, he gave me a very touching gift. He told me he wanted to give me something every new mom needed, and that he was sure I would have many occasions to use. I opened the small grey box to find a SWISS ARMY KNIFE. (I knew that Deb had no part in this gift.) I carried it in my purse for many years, but can't recall ever using it.

Everything you needed to know about Dan was right on the surface. He was genuine and sincere in all of his dealings. He had a knack for knowing what was important, and always cautioned the rest of us to know our priorities, and "not to make a science project" out of anything simple. His own priorities were clear. He was devoted to his wife, took great pride in the way he raised his sons and in the fine men they had become, and genuinely cared about those fortunate enough to be his friend. He was a brilliant businessman, and didn't bother to try anything unless he was totally committed to sucess... AND HAD A PLAN. Dan said his dream was to be in business with friends, with a staff and clientele that shared his vision. Like most everything else in life, he also achieved this in 1997 when he opened KCT Consultants.

It was almost impossible to know Dan for more than 5 minutes, and not know that there was nothing in life he loved more (with the possible exception of Deb and the boys), than climbing rocks. He did this whenever he could, locally on any spare weekend, saving the "big climbs" for only 2 or 3 times a year. His office walls were plastered with pictures of him perched atop some of the highest summits in this country. For him, there was no better cure for the stresses of life, and he always returned to the office renewed.

I feel robbed that I will never again hear his booming voice, his quick wit, or his explosive laughter. I'll never again hear stories of the boys accomplishments, or of his wilderness adventures, or even about what beautiful things came out of "making sawdust" in the garage over the weekend. No one will ask me "How busy do you want to be?" or fawn over the pumpkin bread I baked. But in the shock and sadness of this overwhelming loss, I take comfort in knowing that Dan's last days were spent doing what he most loved, in the company of the man with whom he most felt a kinship, in the place he felt closest to God. I will miss my mentor and my friend, and I wish him well on his last great adventure.

Rose Martin

June 9, 2004

My prayers and sadness go out to you for the loss of "Dan" it was such a shock to learn of his passing. Deb, you were a friend of my daughter, Kathy Martin-Belden and she worked with Dan at JFD years ago. When she passed away Nov 7, 1995 Dan called me and he was so uplifting at my time of grief, I appreciated that call so much. I will keep you and your sons in my prayers knowing God has taken a very special man home.

John and Linda Mittleider

June 8, 2004

Deb,

We just want to let you know how

sorry we were to hear about your

loss. While we never met Daniel,

his bio shows that he must have

been a wonderful man.

Please know that the Lord will

carry you through this valley.

We are praying for your strength;

body, soul, and spirit.

Don't hesitate to call if We can

do anything.

Aan Tan

June 7, 2004

I met Dan 22 years ago on the Riverside Community College Baseball Field Complex. I guess we can say that we grew up together in the Planning and Construction Field.

He is part of the RCC family from the Baseball Field Complex, all phases of the soon designated Norco College and Moreno Valley College, including Measure “C” initiative.

The word “Kohai” is probably the most appropriate honorific that we could bestow on him “My esteem younger brother in our journey of life” he taught me simplicity and most of all integrity.

Dale Adams

June 7, 2004

Dear Kipper Family,

I worked with Dan on a few projects at RCC and was shocked to hear of the his passing. My relationship with Dan was short but, I will always remember his kind smile and great personality. Dan was quick with a joke yet always proffesional. My prayers are with you during this difficult time.

Sincerely,

Dan & Cheryl Honore'

June 6, 2004

Deb and Boys,

Even though I didn't get to meet Dan I sure wish I would have. I just wanted to extend our thoughts to you during this time of the loss of Dan. Our hearts and prayers go out to you all. Deb, we are really sorry and are, as always at your command should there be anything we can do to help you guys.

Debbie Melvin Yocum

June 5, 2004

I met Dan when I was 18 years old and working at Hawkins, Robertson & Associates. I worked with him again at JFD. I kept in touch with him over 20 years of working with him and I always looked forward to talking with him. Everyone liked him. There are not very many people like Dan, he stood out. He was always happy, always had a joke to tell, always had a smile on his face. He was a professional and so many people counted on him. It didn't seem like work when you were working with him. His staff loved him, the County and City staff loved him.

Whenever I saw Dan he would ask first about my family (my husband and Dan worked together on projects) and then he would start to tell me about his family. We have a large family and Dan would ask about my kids playing all the sports that his kids played when they were young. He would tell me that his kids grew up so fast and that we should make the most of our time with the kids when they are still young and at home. He loved his family above all else.

I really will miss him.

Gretchen and Mac Fisher

June 5, 2004

Dear Deb, Josh and Matt,

We were so saddened to learn of Dan's passing. What a shock it was to us. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you during this most difficult time. We were always impressed by Dan's kindness, friendliness and supportive nature to his family. We consider ourselves fortunate to have known him, through Little League and Pony League Baseball and friendships our boys have shared through the years. We hope that time will ease your loss and that only fond memories will remain of the times you shared with your husband and father.

With our sincerest sympathies,

Gretchen and Mac Fisher

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