Richard J. Vipond

Richard J. Vipond, 74, passed away Monday, October 1 at Creighton Medical Center in Omaha, surrounded by his family. Dick was born August 15, 1938, in Algona to James and Kathryn Vipond. He was raised on the family farm in Algona and attended country grade school. He graduated from Algona High School in 1956. He received a bachelor’s degree in 1961 and a law degree in 1963, both from George Washington University in Washington, DC. Dick was united in marriage to Shirley Gardiner of Waldorf, Maryland, on December 29, 1962, in Washington, DC. They were married nearly 50 years. During the 1963-64 school year, Dick was a teaching associate at Indiana University Law School, teaching legal research and writing. He served as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa in Sioux City from June 1964 to August 1966. In 1966, Dick started a private law practice in Denison and practiced law as a partner with Robert Reimer and James Lohman for many years. He also served as City Attorney in Denison for 12 years. In 1982, Dick was appointed by Gov. Robert D. Ray as a district court judge for the Third Judicial District of Iowa, and in 1985 he was appointed chief judge for the Third Judicial District. He served as a district court judge for 20 years until his retirement at the end of 2002. He continued to serve part-time as a senior judge until 2009. Dick loved coaching youth baseball for the Denison Little League. He began coaching in 1975 and continued for several years past his sons’ playing days through 1983. He is fondly remembered by his former players. Dick’s hobbies included traveling, photography and reading. Dick and his wife Shirley attended 26 elderhostel education programs in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica and Panama. Dick is survived by his wife Shirley of Denison, Iowa; brother Jack Vipond and wife Sharon of Plano, Texas; son Bill Vipond and wife Carolyn of Ankeny, Iowa; son Bob Vipond and wife Carole of Des Moines, Iowa; grandchildren Jimmy and Tasha Vipond; step-grandchildren Christopher Whitehead and wife Sharon of Milford, Massachusetts, and Jennifer Bleecher and husband David of Nevada, Iowa; and four step-greatgrandchildren: Jacob, Vivian, Maxwell and Logan; and nieces and nephews. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather.  Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 10:30 am, Friday, October 5, 2012, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Denison, IA with Father Paul Kelly as Celebrant. Other participating in the mass included Servers: Damian Magnuson and Cody Campbell; Lectors: Bob Vipond and Bill Vipond; and Eucharistic Ministers: Larry Schwarte, Becky Schwarte and Judy Brodersen. Music for the mass was provided by St. Rose of Lima Adult Choir singing “I Call You to My Father’s House”, “Precious Lord, Take My Hand”, “Eucharistic Litany”, and “On Eagle’s Wings” with Judy Thams serving as accompanist. Pallbearers included Bob Vipond, Bill Vipond, Jimmy Vipond, Jack Vipond, David Bleecher and James D. Lohman. Interment was at Crawford Heights Memory Gardens in Denison. The Pfannebecker Funeral Home, www.pfannebecker.com , Denison, IA was in charge of arrangements where on Thursday, October 4, 2012, a Legion of Mary Rosary was prayed at 4:30 p.m. and a Parish Vigil Service was held at 5:00 p.m.