Robert (Bob) H. Rippentrop, 60, died on Wednesday, May 11, 2022, at Mayo Clinic’s Methodist Campus Hospice Unit, with his daughter by his side. He passed from a long, courageous, and complicated battle with JAK2-Myelofibrosis, a rare form of chronic leukemia.
Bob was born on December 5, 1961, to Raymond Cort and Jean Marie (Howard) Rippentrop in Spring Valley, Minn. He attended school through the 8th grade. Bob joined the United States Army. He was honorably discharged during 1982. He was united in marriage during 1984 to Tammra Lentz; they had two children, and then later divorced in 1990. In 1996, he remarried to Jan Grobe and they later divorced in 2000.
Bob was a free-spirited and loving father, grandpa, brother, uncle, son, and a friend to many. He enjoyed fishing, puzzles, word searches, tinkering with electronics and small equipment, cooking shows, redneck type reality TV shows, spoiling and spending time with his grandchildren, along with collecting a variety of statues and garden figures throughout his yard and home.
He is survived by his daughter Katie (Rippentrop) Gerlach and fiance Brian Stans of West Concord, Minn., his grandchildren Arianna Rippentrop, Casey Rippentrop, and Claire Gerlach; his siblings Dennis Rippentrop and fiance Belinda Root of Hayfield, Minn., Carol Rippentrop of Spring Valley, Minn., and Karen (Rippentrop) Ginder of Winona, Minn.; step-siblings Janet (LaRose) Vreeman of Spring Valley, Minn., and Joe (Val) LaRose of Cresco, Iowa. He is also survived by his nephews and niece Ben Rippentrop and girlfriend Jennifer Musolf, Brad (Jennifer) Vreeman, Chris Kirwin, Patrick (Stacy) Kirwin, and Kim (Shawn) Smith, along with multiple great-nieces and great-nephews.
He was preceded in death by his son Harlan Ray Rippentrop, parents Raymond and Jean (Howard) Rippentrop, step-mother Betty (LaRose) Rippentrop, grandparents Benard and Alice (Ites) Rippentrop and Thomas and Marie (Schwucho) Howard; sister Mary Alice Rippentrop, step-siblings Bill LaRose and Jeanie (LaRose) Guy, great-niece Karen (Kari) Holum, and five grandchildren.
Bob was taken from us much too soon, but his friendliness, generosity, strength, stubborn will, and toughness are something that all those around him will never forget.
A luncheon and celebration of life in remembrance of Bob will be held from 1-4 p.m. on Sunday, June 26, 2022, at the Spring Valley VFW Post 4114, 104 S Broadway Ave, Spring Valley, Minn. 55975
Dan says
To Karen & Dennis as well as the rest of the family, my deepest sympathies.
D.L.K.