Roland "Ronnie" P. Rippon

It is with great sadness that we announce Roland “Ronnie” P. Rippon, 89 flew West February 1, 2018. Left to cherish his memory are his wife; Ellen of 35 years, children; Jeff (Kim) Rippon, Linda (Odell) Cantrell, Cynthia (Robert) Howard, Diane Sims (Chris Johnson), several grandchildren and great-grandchildren and his beloved cats. Pre-deceased by his father; Roland E. Rippon, mother; Elizabeth (Kautzman) Rippon and great-granddaughter; Michelle Sims.
Ronnie will be missed by his loving family and many friends who will always remember his sky blue eyes, good nature and willingness to lend a helping hand or give advice. He was always a gentleman, had a great sense of humor and loved animals. He enjoyed reading about aviation and naval history and accumulated an extensive collection of books.
Born in Wayne, NE on September 19, 1928, Ronnie later moved to Leeds, IA where he attended Leeds High School. Ronnie was bitten by the aviation bug at an early age after riding in an open cockpit biplane with his father. He turned his aviation passion into a lifelong career and hobby. Ronnie served several years in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Wisconsin. He used the G.I. Bill to learn to fly at Bob Volin’s Sioux City Flying Service and soloed in a Piper J-3 on July 9, 1948. He spent his early flying days in the Sioux City area building flight time by helping work on various airplanes and also learned the mechanical aspects of aviation as well. The first airplane he owned was a Fairchild PT-19. Ronnie attended the Spartan School of Aeronautics where he obtained his Commercial pilot’s license on March 12, 1953. His first aviation job was flying out of Gillette, WY, and in 1955 he relocated to Rockford, IL to take a job flying for Sundstrand Corporation. Ronnie remained in Rockford and would also fly for Amerock Corporation and Clarcor. His flying career spanned from flying Beech Bonanza’s, Beech 18’s, Twin Bonanza’s, King Air’s and Lear Jet’s, retiring in 2000 after 35,000+ accident free hours. Ronnie’s passion has always been aviation history, especially antique airplanes, of which he owned many and was known as a first class restorer of Howard DGA-15P airplanes. Over his lifetime, Ronnie owned 7 Howard DGA’s and the last two he completed were award winning examples that set the bar even higher for fellow restorers. Ronnie was an early member of the Antique Airplane Association and was a founding member of the Rockford Hangar of the Quiet Birdmen, initiated in January 1960. At the time of his passing, he was nearing the completion of restoring a 1931 Curtiss-Wright Speedwing, one of only two that survive today.
Ronnie's family thanks the Nurses, CNA’s and all Staff at Heartland Hospice for the excellent care and services they provided during his last days. A special thank-you to Tammy Stout (Heartland Hospice), and Caregivers Sanaa and Bek who gave Ronnie loving care and put a smile on his face each day.
Flowers gratefully declined in lieu of memorials to the Alzheimer’s Association. Please come celebrate Ronnie's life with us at his memorial service, February 18, 2018, from 2 P.M. to 4 P.M. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, 1860 S. Mulford Road.