Richard Charles Rippe

Richard Charles Rippe

Dec. 10, 1942 - Jan. 12, 2022

ATWOOD, Kan. — Richard Charles Rippe, 79, of Ludell, died Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022, at Rawlins County Medical Center in Atwood, Kan., as a result of an ATV accident near his farm in rural Rawlins County. He was born Dec.10, 1942, in Oberlin, Kan., to Edwin and Verneda (Schmid) Rippe.

He attended the Ludell Grade School through the sixth grade and Sacred Heart Parochial School in Atwood until high school. He graduated from Atwood High School in 1960. During high school, he enjoyed wrestling and he spent many years playing softball for the Ludell town team following graduation. There was rarely a time that he wasn’t smiling and being ornery.

On Dec. 1, 1973, he married Theresa (Sattler) Rippe at St. Mary’s Assumption Catholic Church in Herndon, Kan., and they enjoyed 48 years together. He farmed and ranched with his family on the Rippe Homestead for his entire life. He loved working with cattle and seeing the baby calves running around in the spring. Teasing and loving on his grandchildren was his greatest joy. He would always chuckle when he found blocks, toys, and even the tv remote in his cowboy boots that the grandkids had hid there to tease him back. His hobbies included reading, playing cards, and watching sports and old westerns. Each week he looked forward to visiting with his after-church coffee group. Nothing was more important to him than his family and friends. He would do anything for anyone.

He was a longtime member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Atwood and St. Mary’s Assumption Catholic Church in Herndon. He was an active member, serving on Parish Council and proud to be a Eucharistic Minister. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, where he previously served as Grand Knight and was honored to have his family receive the Knights of Columbus Family of the Year Award. He served for many years on the Herndon School Board, Rawlins County Extension Board, and Atwood Hospital Foundation Board.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents and his in-laws, Clarence (Kayo) Sattler and Stella (Niemeth) Sattler; brothers, Clarence Rippe and Ronald Rippe; sisters-in-law, Emmaline Rippe, Lois (Sattler) Solko, Carol Sattler, and Linda Sattler; brother-in-law, George Cardinal, daughter-in-law, Alicia (Burkhalter) Rippe; nephews, Kenon Rippe and Brad Rippe.

He is survived by his loving wife, Theresa, of the home; children, Kevin (Megan) Rippe, of Ludell, Kan.; Timothy (Lindsey) Rippe of Ludell, Kan.; Brenda (Aaron) Schilde of Atwood, Kan.; Rodney (Katelyn) Rippe of Hays, Kan.; 14 grandchildren, Lillian Rippe, Michaela Rippe, Allison Rippe, Kimberly Rippe, Connor Rippe, Wyatt Rippe, Levi Rippe, Trevor Rippe, Addison Schilde, Grayson Schilde, Jackson Schilde, Paxton Rippe, Lawson Rippe and Baby Rippe on the way; brothers, Robert Rippe of Las Vegas, Nev., Victor Rippe of Mesquite, Nev., Edgar Rippe of Las Vegas, and Clifford Rippe of Lenexa, Kan.; sister, Carolyn Glaves of Gilbert, Ariz.; and many beloved nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Visitation will be at Baalmann Mortuary in Atwood today from 5 to 7 p.m. with a Vigil Service and Rosary at 7 p.m. Funeral Mass will be Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Atwood. Burial will be at Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Atwood. Memorials may be made to the Richard C. Rippe Memorial Fund sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, P.O. Box 391, Colby, KS 67701 Online condolences: www.baalmannmortuary.com.