Richard T. Trippe

Mr. Trippe, of Browns Mills, NJ, died, at the age of 70, on Feb. 6 from complications after knee surgery.

Born in Dunkirk on November 18, 1948, Rich grew up in Fredonia.

He was a 1964 graduate of Fredonia High School, where he played baseball, football and track. His parents, Cosmo and Mary Trippe, operated Trippe Greenhouses, across from the canning company that was founded by his grandfather, Charles Gervase.

Upon graduation, Rich enrolled at SUNY Fredonia, where he played soccer and studied Education. He graduated with his bachelor’s degree in 1968 and began teaching 6th grade for the Lake Shore School District.

Two years later he enlisted in the U. S. Air Force, embarking on what became a great life’s passion. Throughout his career as an airman, he was stationed across the country as a material storage and distribution supervisor. In addition, Rich spent 11 years overseas on tours in Greece and Germany. While stationed abroad, Rich earned his master’s degree in human resource management, from the University of Utah.

After 21 years of honorable service, resulting in several military decorations and achieving the rank of Master Sergeant, Rich retired from active duty in 1991. Settling in southern New Jersey, he worked as a corrections officer at Trenton State Prison for 23 years. He married his wife, Carol in 2007 and for the last 6 years, they operated a hair salon in Mt. Holly, NJ.

Rich will be remembered as a cheerful man with a love for many things, most importantly his family. He enjoyed skeet shooting, scuba diving and playing horseshoes. With a ready laugh and unbreakable spirit, Rich’s greatest gift to us all was his generous soul and boundless kindness.

He is survived by his wife of 10 years, Carol Trippe (Sack); his daughter, Jacqueline Trippe; his grandchildren Adeina and Cosmo Lippincott; his step children, Sean Chapman, Jennifer Lawson, Charlie Chapman, Salvatore Sack, Scott Sack, Jason Sack and Jennifer Gibbs; his 14 stepgrandchildren; his sister, Dorothy Hiler, his niece, Linda Barnum and his nephew, Richard Hiler.

A celebration of life with military honors in memory of Richard T. Trippe will be held on March 25th at 11 a.m. at the Fantauzzi Funeral Home, 82 E. Main St., Fredonia, following calling hours at 10 a.m.

Contributions may be made in his memory to the Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 666758517, www. woundedwarriorproject. org.