Major Ralph Lippe, USMC Retired

Retired Marine Corps Major Ralph Lippe passed away December 14, 2008 at UCSD Medical Center La Jolla, after a long and courageous battle with leukemia. He was born June 24, 1929 in New York City. Major Lippe enlisted in the Marine Corps at age 17. While serving in Korea and during three tours of duty in Vietnam he received numerous commendations for valor. He was proud of his enlisted service and as a "Mustang" progressed through every rank from E-1 to E-9. He flew in the 2nd combat mission of the OV-10 Bronco spotter plane in Vietnam and logged over 3000 hours in them. Major Lippe retired after 33 years of active duty service.

After military service, Ralph worked for Cubic Corporation and TRW developing the B-1 bomber training system and Hunter Unmanned Aerial Vehicle. He had a passion for horse racing and cherished his association with his Marine Corps Family.

He was preceded in death by his first wife of 44 years Claire Buckley Lippe and his brother Morton Lippe. He leaves behind his present wife of 12 years Grace Boothe Lippe of Rancho Bernardo, Calif. Surviving children are Paul (Christine) Lippe of Stafford, Va., Brian (Pamela) Lippe of Coronado, Calif., Susan Waters of San Marcos, Calif., Janet (Lynn) Harvick of Yuma, John Lippe (Scott Werner) of Portland, Ore., and Steven Lippe of Temecula, Calif. He is also survived by three stepchildren, Maureen Gritz of Pittsburg, Pa., Patrick McDonough of Rancho Bernardo, Calif., and Timothy McDonough of Boca Raton, Fla. He was blessed with a total of 23 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He has two great-grandsons on the way.

We've lost a true patriot, a loving father and a devoted spouse. Ralph will be deeply missed by all who loved him, laughed with him and served with him. Ceremony will be held January 14, 2009 at 11 a.m. at the Rotunda, Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery with full Military Honors. The family asks in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Leukemia Foundation.

Semper Fi
IGOR (Chuck Burin)