Flutterby

Donald Wayne Tripp

August 6, 1944 – November 28, 2007

Donald Wayne Tripp was born on August 6, 1944 in Fort Madison, Iowa. After fighting a long and courageous battle with cancer, Don passed away peacefully on November 28, 2007 at home in Redmond, Washington, with his daughter and son-in-law by his side.

Don is survived by his daughter, Kimberly L. Tripp; his son-in-law, Paul S. Randal; his grandchildren Kiera and Katelyn Randal; his Mother, Doris McDonnell; his brothers Jon McDonnell and Wayne Tripp; his sisters Linda Fussell and Bonnie Bostick; his brother-in-law, Ted Fussell; his sister-in-law, Valerie Tripp; his nephew and many nieces; and his wife of 22 years, Ursula Tripp. He will be greatly missed by these and many other relatives and friends.

Don was very charismatic, always quick to lighten the mood with his humor - lately he'd say that "I'm in great shape - besides a little cancer". He was an avid sailor and loved nothing more than being on the water - especially Lake Michigan - where he first sailed "Flutterby", an 18 foot SolCat, and then a variety of sail-boats (and ice-boats in WI) over many years. When not on the water somehow, he loved his local haunts and enjoyed an occasional Meyers-and-tonic with friends.

By far his greatest pleasure was introducing friends, family, and even acquaintances to sailing - especially as a Regional Sales Manager for Hunter Yachts - which he gladly took on as his second career after working for Moore Business Forms for almost 30 years. For Moore he received numerous "Achievement Awards" in Sales but he was most rewarded by sales that lead people to the boat of their dreams. He was a graduate of the University of Iowa in 1968, a member of the Army and Air Force Reserves for six years and took his first sky dive in 1962, the year he graduated from Fort Madison High School. He loved adventure and had it not been for a hurricane that washed ashore his 40-foot trimaran in 1978, he would have raced in the (London) Observer's Singlehanded Trans-Atlantic Race in 1980.

Over the past few months, Don greatly enjoyed bird watching from the deck of our house. He especially enjoyed torturing the squirrels by spraying “Pam” on the poles of the many bird feeders. Don’t worry; it didn’t really stop them from getting the food – but it did provide for many hours of entertainment as they slid down the pole after lunch or on their way to having lunch.

A "Celebration of Life" Memorial Reception is being planned for Memorial Day weekend. Please send email to KimberlyLTripp@hotmail.com for more information.

In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to a Cancer charity of your choosing. For example, consider donating to the Cancer Research Foundation at http://www.cancerresearchfdn.org/donate/.

remembering…

Donald Wayne Tripp

August 6, 1944 – November 28, 2007

A few memories and photos – remembering the times we’ve all had with Don – as a Father, brother, son and most importantly – a friend.

Donald Wayne Tripp's birth announcement

Picture 1: Little Donnie

Picture 2: Ft. Madison High School graduation photo - 1962