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September 09, 2005
Robert W. Rippel, Jr. Update
I've been away from my 'puter for a couple of days. With all the Sheehanification of Katrina by the emoting Reality Based Community™ as of late (don't confuse 'em with facts, nothing is more important than "IMAGE"), I felt that it was best to just step back for a couple of days to be with family and share all the memories -- and tears and laughter -- as yet another chapter in my life closed. Some of the highlights of Bobby's life can be found here. Excerpt:
Robert William Rippel Jr., 77, passed away Saturday, Sept. 3, 2005, with his family by his side.That hardly scratches the surface of the life that Bobby lead, a man devoted to his family and who kept the friends he made. At the reception we watched an awesome DVD put together by one of the many young men who are close friends with his son, my cousin, Greg and who hung out at Bob and Mary Ann's place as adopted members of the family. We all got up at points and spoke of special memories. Two of the remaining members of Bob's childhood friends were on hand, too, testimony to Bob's devotion to keeping the friends he made.Bob was born April 4, 1928, in Los Angeles to Robert W. Rippel Sr. and Mildred Rippel. Bob was an outstanding athlete who especially excelled at football. While at Dorsey High School, he was chosen for the Los Angeles All-City First Football Team. He was also a four-year football letterman at Arizona State University and signed a contract with the San Francisco 49ers, of the National Football League, in 1955.
A four-year tour of duty in the Navy put an end to Bob's professional football career before it ever started. While stationed at the U.S. Naval Air Station on Coronado Island in San Diego, Bob played football and wrestled on Navy teams. He was named Football Player of the Year of the 11th Naval District, and he placed third as a heavyweight in the National AAU Wrestling Championships.
The reception at the Malibu Country Club was just what Bobby wanted. No gloom but a party, like all the backyard BBQ's he loved to throw. We ate, we drank, we laughed and we swapped stories.
And hugging was rampant.
Tell me not in mournful numbers,Bobby lived life earnestly, no matter the sorrows that crossed it, and left it rich in the lives he so wonderfully touched. May we all be so blessed.
"Life is but an empty dream!"
For the soul is dead that slumbers,
And things are not what they seem.Life is real! Life is earnest!
And the grave is not its goal;
"Dust thou art, to dust returnest,"
Was not spoken of the soul.~~Longfellow
Posted by Darleen at September 9, 2005 09:11 AM