Thomas E. Kipp, 92, of Olathe, Kansas passed away on the 7th of June 2019 at Aberdeen Village. Mr. Kipp was born September 17, 1926 in Piqua, Kansas to Charles, and Ida (Konen) Kipp, and spent his childhood working on the family farm while attending the Catholic grade school across the road. Years later, his children would share memories of visiting and working on the farm during summer vacations. Tom attended Christian Brothers High School in St. Joseph, Missouri while living with a cousin and family, and proceeded to Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, Kansas where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Secondary Education. In later years he continued a lifelong passion for learning and graduated with a Master's Degree in Administration from the University of Missouri -Kansas City.
Thomas began teaching in 1949 at Hogan High School where he met his life partner and spouse Eloise Rentchler, a fellow teacher. In 1954 he moved to the Kansas City Missouri School District where he taught at Central Junior High School and Southwest High School. He was a basketball coach while teaching human science and later became the Vice-Principal and eventually the Principal of Southwest High school in its glory days. Later positions in the district included Vice-Principal positions at East High School and Southeast Middle School. As a life-long educator, coach, and father "Coach Kipp" to many, impacted the lives of thousands of young people. Tom kept in touch with so many of his Southwest students. It was nearly impossible to go out in Kansas City without someone recognizing Mr. Kipp! Thomas was a person of integrity and earned the respect of all he influenced with his quiet demeanor and commanding presence.
Tom and Eloise were married June 20, 1951 in Eloise's hometown of Clinton, MO. The Kipp family has been fortunate enough to celebrate Tom and Eloise's 50th, 60th, and 65th anniversaries. The Kipp celebrations were always full of love and laughter from their wide circle of life-long friends. As a family, we have all been blessed by seeing a beautiful example of love, marriage, and family.
Tom's influence went beyond the classroom. He and Eloise were active members of the Our Lady of Lourdes parish in Kansas City and later Annunciation in Baldwin City, KS. Tom was also one of the longest running members of the Knights of Columbus (75 years) in the Kansas City area, joining at age 18 and staying active all his adult life. Tom was a member of Pope Pius Council 4962, and a 4th Degree Knight.
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