Deceased February 23, 2015
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In Memory
Kipp Charlton died peacefully at the age of 78, succumbing to pancreatic cancer on Feb. 23, 2015. He came to Amherst from Hastings, Neb.
Kipp’s activities at Amherst included the Glee Club and WAMF, and he was an active member of the Phi Gam fraternity, serving a successful stint as rushing chairman. John Condit '58 remembers seeing him often in bull sessions or having a beer at Barsie’s, nevertheless, Kipp graduated cum laude, in biology. His secret? Once at 3:30 in the morning, while putting the finishing touches on a paper, John needed to borrow something. Seeing light under Kipp’s door, sure enough, inside was Kipp deeply engrossed in the books. John, who also knew him from post-Amherst days in New York remembers Kipp as having been easy going and possessing a great sense of humor—relating well to everyone and being fun to be around.
Kipp went on to Cornell Medical School and eventually affiliated with the Maricopa (Ariz.) County General Hospital, where he worked in the Department of Pediatrics, with great distinction, until shortly before his death. Early, he became a leading advocate for child abuse prevention and helped to found the Crisis Nursery in Phoenix, which remained his passion throughout his life. Kipp was the recipient of many awards, including, among others, the 2011 J. Kipp Charlton Physician of Excellence Award and the Health Care Heroes 2011 Lifetime Achievement Award.
Kipp was something of Renaissance man. He was an accomplished pianist and loved to fly, sail and travel and was a season ticket holder for the theater, the symphony and the opera.
He was predeceased by his wife, Susan, and a son Greg. He is survived by his son Paul, his daughters Cindy and Daphne and by five grandchildren, as well as by his fiancée, Connie Bassett.
John E. G. Bischof ’58