Henry Lippert

Henry Thompson Lippert, loving husband, father and grandfather, died at home on March 21, 2004 from metastatic pancreatic cancer. Of his more than 70 happy years of life, less than 5 months were spent dealing with the cancer. He was born in Oklahoma City, OK on July 11, 1933 to Ernest Laverne Lippert and Dorothy Thompson Lippert, who preceded him in death. He graduated from Putnam City High School and went on to receive a B.S. and M.S. from the University of Oklahoma in the field of special education. He received a doctorate of educational psychology from the University of Illinois in 1966. At the University of Oklahoma, he met his soul mate, Peggy Johnson. Their long and happy marriage, which began on July 14, 1957, was a joyful dance filled with love and fun. "Hank" was the proud father of four children, John Ernest Lippert of Ashford, CT, Dorothy Thompson Lippert of Arlington, VA, Jennifer Johnson Lippert Adickes, of Center Point, TX and David Henry Lippert of Houston, TX. His legacy to them is deep love and affection for each other and a sense of responsibility to the other human beings in this world. He took great joy in all their accomplishments and although they feel his loss deeply, they are strengthened by the courage and sense of hope that he instilled in each of them. In addition to four children, Hank was delighted with his five grandchildren. His oldest son, John and wife Lisa Weixel-Lippert, have three boys, Ethan Wade, Holden Keith and Paxton Alexander, all of who voraciously enjoyed their Granddad's pancakes. His daughter, Jenny and husband Jon Arlis Adickes have a daughter, Brooke Taylor, who brought him Band-Aids during his brief hospital stay. Dana Renee, the daughter of son, David and wife Karen Renee Brooks, was the last grandchild to see him and gave him comfort through her sweet smiles. Hank was a civilian employee for the Academy of Health Sciences at Fort Sam Houston in the field of Educational Psychology for 33 years. His children, uncertain of his exact job duties, believed for many years that he actually worked as a spy, a theory bolstered by his occasional business trips to Washington D.C. and the Pentagon. He served as Associate Professor of Medical Education at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. He also taught occasional courses in statistics and research at the University of Texas at San Antonio. In addition to working for the Army, Hank served as the First President of the Board of the Youth Orchestras of San Antonio, President of the Lee High School Band Boosters, President of the Lee Debate Parents and as Assistant Scout Master of Troop 346. A committed Unitarian, Hank served the First Unitarian Universalist Church in many capacities, as Sunday school teacher, as chair and treasurer of the Endowment fund, and as President of the Church. He particularly enjoyed working as Director of Finance and was excited when the Church successfully financed the building of the new sanctuary, which was completed just in time for Jenny Lippert Adickes' wedding to take place in it on November 15, 1997. Hank loved jazz and classical music, the Colorado mountains, statistics, teaching and his cat, Arthur Dent, who preceded him in death. He will also be remembered for his culinary specialties, including his famous eggnog and pancakes. Hank is survived by his wife, Peggy; four children, five grandchildren; brother, Ernest Laverne Lippert, Jr. and wife Judy, and by innumerable loving friends. A Memorial Service will take place on Saturday, March 27, 2004 at the First Unitarian Universalist Church with the Reverend Arthur Severance officiating. Gifts in his memory may be given to the First Unitarian Universalist Church Sanctuary Fund, First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Antonio, 7150 IH-10 West, San Antonio, TX 78213.