Kevin Christopher Lippert

Kevin Christopher Lippert

Kevin Christopher Lippert, 63, passed away on March 29th, 2022, in the comfort of his Ghent, NY home after complications from a second battle with brain cancer.

Born on January 20, 1959 in Leeds, England, his family moved to Tennessee where he taught himself to play the piano. He began performing at the age of 6 and wrote his first composition at age 8. When his family moved to Circleville, Ohio, he continued playing and studied with Dr. Foy Kohler. Kevin performed concerts and enjoyed playing for the remainder of his life.

After another move to Toledo, he continued his piano studies with Elizabeth Gould Hochman and attended St. Francis de Sales High School. He participated in an exchange-study program during his Junior year in Annecy, France resulting in a life-long friendship with Patrick Boy, of his host family.

Though he was encouraged to become a concert pianist, Kevin attended Princeton University with an interest in medicine then studied history and philosophy of science. He graduated magna cum laude, was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, and received a master's degree from the School of Architecture.

In 1981, while still attending Princeton, Kevin saw a need for his peers and he to have access to a rare 1840 book, Paul Letarouilly's Edifices de Rome Moderne. He made copies of it and they were in high demand. Princeton Architectural Press (PAPress) was born and its Reprint Series continues to make rare volumes on architecture accessible and affordable to a wider audience. Kevin moved the company to New York City in 1985. He sold the company to a German publishing group then later bought back his stake in PAPress. Looking for a new partner, Lippert sold PAPress to Chronicle Books and Kevin was hired as its publisher and president. Kevin moved PAPress to Hudson, NY and remained with the company until 2019.

Kevin loved cooking, dining, biking, and hiking. He couldn't start his day without several cups of espresso. He enjoyed two weeks in Maine every summer for over 30 years. Kevin built friendships wherever he went and valued and maintained them. What Kevin loved most was his family. He spoke to his parents once a week or more and was a proud parent of three children.

Kevin is survived by his mother, Maureen Rudzik of Oakville, Ontario, Canada; his father and stepmother, Dr. Ernest and Judy Lippert of Toledo, Ohio; as well as his sister, Kari; wife, Rachel, and his children, Christopher, Cooper, and Kate.

Kevin's life will be celebrated at The Maker in Hudson, NY on Sunday, April 10 from 3:00-5:00 p.m.

Memorial donations may be made to the Smilow Cancer Hospital and Yale Cancer Center Closer to Free Fund to pursue the latest advances in cancer research at Yale Cancer Center, develop promising new cancer treatments, and make these therapies available as quickly as possible to patients at Smilow Cancer Hospital.