Former Landrum and Clemson resident Douglas V. Rippy, 69, left his body on Sept. 11, 2011, at his home in Westerville, Ohio.
An open house will be held there (1020 Laketree Ct. E, Westerville, OH 43081) on Thursday, Sept. 15 from 3:30 – 6:30 p.m. Friends can stop by to share memories and visit with the family. There will also be a family gathering in Asheville, N.C., during the Columbus Day weekend. Please email dourip44@msn.com to pass on any regards or for more information.
Dr. Rippy was born in Tryon on June 28, 1942, son of Virgil “Pete” and Grace Gaines, Ethan and Georgia Hipps Rippy. He grew up in Landrum and earned degrees from Clemson University and the Air Force Institute of Technology. He retired from the Air Force as a lieutenant colonel and was a professor at the University of Dayton and professor emeritus at Clemson University.
He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Brenda Fallaw; daughter, Melisa Joy; sons, Doug Jr. (Heather) and Benjamin Gaines (Alexandra); grandchildren, Andrew, Ryan, KC, Delsi, Dustin, Addi Rose, Emma and Sayer Gaines; sisters, Sylvia Becknell, Melinda McKeown, Mickie Peterson and Janice Breedlove; brother, Tommy Rippy; first cousin, Garland Goodwin of Columbus and many other loving cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Memorials can be sent in lieu of flowers to: HomeReach Hospice, 800 McConnel Dr., Columbus, Ohio 43214. He and the family wish to thank them for their skill and care that helped make the last few months of his life as comfortable as possible.