We sadly report that John J. Pippenger, 88, passed away on Tuesday, February 7th, 2006. Clicking will open the obituary that appeared in the Keweenaw's The Daily Mining Gazette. Many tributes to 'Mr. Fluid Power' can be found on the internet. One series of tributes appear in the Fluid Power Journal and can be opened by clicking.
One of the many places where John's presence is sorely missed is the Men's Night bridge group at the Miscowaubik Club in Calumet, Michigan. At a recent meeting the group toasted the memory of John as well as that of another long-time participant, Ray Yarbrough.
The Pippenger books described via links in the frame at the left, along with several others, are available from the Fluid Power Society. To log onto the Society's Web, click on their link near the bottom of this page and follow the link to the IFPS Store.
Hydraulics: The machines that helped build our world have been powered by hydraulics, a compact system of valves, hoses, and pumps that transmits forces from point to point through fluid. This basic concept of powerful force transmission through fluid provides the force for most machines today. From the ancient Roman mastery of the aqueduct to Universal Studios, a veritable hydraulic theme park, we see how hydraulics power industry, keep planes flying, and make that 3-point-turn a U-turn
John Pippenger was consulted during the creation of this program and his blockbuster, Fluid Power, the Hidden Giant, (see frame at the left) was one of the resources the editors used.
John J. Pippenger has been titled the 'Dean of the Fluid Power Industry.' Click on his name to learn more about him.
John (photo by Peg Malone) and Ruth Gourd Pippenger (1917-2001)
John leads a most active life at his home in Laurium where he carefully maintains a daily log which he shares with family and keeps up a lively correspondence, some of it generated via this web site. John is also busily serving his community. His responsibilities include being the Treasurer of the Calumet Rotary, serving on the board of the Still Waters Assisted Living Community (see the Web at http://pasty.com/cam/ourpeople.html) and serving as docent and advisor for both the Heritage Center at St. Anne's Church in Calumet (they've put up a Web at www.pasty.com/heritage ) and the Copper Town Museum. But he still finds time for daily walks (often with chains on his boots to navigate the ice) and for bridge both at the Senior Center in Laurium and during Men's Night at the Miscowaubik Club. John was recently honored as a Past-President of the Miscowaubik Club.
Flash! Johnny Pipp is a Great Grandfather! On Thursday the 18th of September, 2003, Katie arrived to make life interesting for Grandson Dan Pippenger and wife Patty
And, on the Fourth of July, 2005,
here's Johnny Pipp with Katie's sister, his second Great
Granddaughter, Elizabeth Pippenger
.
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