Robert Allyn "Bob" '63 RIPLINGER, 1945 ~ 2010Bob worked variously as a branch manager in wholesale and retail financing; as a microbiologist at Sunshine Mining in Kellogg; and as a Licensed Grief Counselor since 1988. He was a mortician's apprentice at English Funeral Chapel, Cd'A; Downard's Funeral Home, Pocatello; Pegg, Paxson and Springer Funeral Home in Beaverton OR; a Funeral Director at Hennessey Funeral Home, Spokane; Buck-Sullivan Funeral Home, Idaho Falls; and at Coltrin Mortuary, Idaho Falls. His compassion, competence and dedication will be remembered by the many families he served. His friends and family benefited from his high tech computer expertise. Bob was in the US Army, Idaho National Guard, US Army Reserves from 1964 until 1972, serving his country during the Vietnam crisis and honorably discharged in 1972. Bob married Kathy '62 BURKE, divorcing in 1978. They had one adopted daughter, Barbara. In 1986, Bob married the love of his life, Marlene SPIELMAN. Bob was a member of the National Kidney Foundation, Kiwanis, Rotary, Cd'A Jaycees, was president of Gem State Dialysis Patients' Association and Chasewood Homeowners Association. He participated in competitive water skiing, snowmobiling, boating, golfing, fishing and hunting. Bob is survived by his wife, Marlene, Idaho Falls; daughter Barbara APARICIO, Post Falls; sister Jill (RIPLINGER) '66 (Terry) BEST, Leesburg IN; stepsons David COVERT, Anchorage; and Darrell (Janine) COVERT, Pocatello; eight grandchildren, one great-granddaughter, many nieces and nephews;a birth aunt, Lillian in Thompson Falls MT; a half-sister, Vivian in Seattle; and a half-brother, Dallas in Priest River. Maybelle, his birth mother, died of Polycystic Kidney and Crohn's diseases at age 55. His half-brother, Danny, died of Polycystic Kidney Disease also. Bob was also preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Bill RIPLINGER, and grandparents. Funeral services 10 April 2010 at Coltrin Mortuary, Idaho Falls. Military rites by the Bonneville County Veterans Team and the Idaho Honor Guard. Memorials to the Polycystic Kidney Foundation. |