1928
Donald
2013
Donald Pipes
August 17, 1928 — April 12, 2013
Donald E. Pipes, 84, passed away Friday, April 12, 2013.
Don was born August 17, 1928, in St. Joseph, MO, to Ralph and Elizabeth Pipes. He graduated from Central High School in St. Joseph in 1945. Don earned an undergraduate degree from Northwest Missouri State Teacher's College, Maryville, MO. He graduated in 1955 from the University of Kansas with a master's degree in Public Administration. Following his graduation he served as an administrative assistant to the City Manager of Park Ridge, IL.
Don then accepted the City Manager job at Wayzata, MN, where he served for 8 years. In 1963, he was appointed as the first City Manager of Overland Park, KS. In 1973, he took a position with the Chemagro Division of the Mobay Chemical Corp. After 3 ½ years there he returned as Overland Park's 3rd City Manager, retiring in September 1999 after serving 33 years with the city. He took great pride in the growth and prosperity of Overland Park during his tenure.
Don was a member of the United States Air Force Reserves for 20 years, retiring with the rank of Major. He was a member of the Reserve Officer's Assoc. and the Freemasons, Wayzata, MN, Lodge 205; a member and past president of KUCIMAT'S (Kansas University Public Administration Alumni Association). He was also a member of the Kansas University Alumni Assoc. Don received the Career Achievement Award in 1997 from the Kansas University School of Public Administration Alumni Assoc.; he was a member of the Overland Park Chamber of Commerce and Public Administrator of the Year in 1979 for the Kansas City Chapter of the American Society for Public Adminstration (ASPA). Past President, Kansas City Chapter ASPA; Member, International City Management Assoc. (ICMA).
Don immensely enjoyed flying, and was a licensed private pilot with Instrument Rating (IFR). Member, Aircraft Owners and Pilot's Assoc. (AOPA). Member, Overland Park Rotary, where he received the Paul Harris award . Don was a member of the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection.
Don will be fondly remembered as having a great sense of humor, enjoying a close game of ping pong, attending airshows, family gatherings, and spending time with his grandchildren.
Don is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Marcha; son, Bruce, of Singapore; daughter, Susan (Troy) Kerr of Overland Park; three grandchildren, Regan, Rachel, and James Kerr; as well as many loving, supportive family members and close friends without whom his battle with Parknison's Disease would have been much more difficult.
A funeral service for Don will be held at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, April 16, 2013, at The Church of the Resurrection, Wesley Chapel, 13720 Roe Ave, Leawood, KS. Family will greet friends from 12:30 – 2:00 pm. There will be a private burial.
Memorial contributions may be made to The Parkinson's Foundation of the Heartland, 8900 State Line Rd, Leawood, KS 66206 or Kansas City Hospice House at 12000 Wornall Rd, Kansas City, MO 64114.
Don was born August 17, 1928, in St. Joseph, MO, to Ralph and Elizabeth Pipes. He graduated from Central High School in St. Joseph in 1945. Don earned an undergraduate degree from Northwest Missouri State Teacher's College, Maryville, MO. He graduated in 1955 from the University of Kansas with a master's degree in Public Administration. Following his graduation he served as an administrative assistant to the City Manager of Park Ridge, IL.
Don then accepted the City Manager job at Wayzata, MN, where he served for 8 years. In 1963, he was appointed as the first City Manager of Overland Park, KS. In 1973, he took a position with the Chemagro Division of the Mobay Chemical Corp. After 3 ½ years there he returned as Overland Park's 3rd City Manager, retiring in September 1999 after serving 33 years with the city. He took great pride in the growth and prosperity of Overland Park during his tenure.
Don was a member of the United States Air Force Reserves for 20 years, retiring with the rank of Major. He was a member of the Reserve Officer's Assoc. and the Freemasons, Wayzata, MN, Lodge 205; a member and past president of KUCIMAT'S (Kansas University Public Administration Alumni Association). He was also a member of the Kansas University Alumni Assoc. Don received the Career Achievement Award in 1997 from the Kansas University School of Public Administration Alumni Assoc.; he was a member of the Overland Park Chamber of Commerce and Public Administrator of the Year in 1979 for the Kansas City Chapter of the American Society for Public Adminstration (ASPA). Past President, Kansas City Chapter ASPA; Member, International City Management Assoc. (ICMA).
Don immensely enjoyed flying, and was a licensed private pilot with Instrument Rating (IFR). Member, Aircraft Owners and Pilot's Assoc. (AOPA). Member, Overland Park Rotary, where he received the Paul Harris award . Don was a member of the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection.
Don will be fondly remembered as having a great sense of humor, enjoying a close game of ping pong, attending airshows, family gatherings, and spending time with his grandchildren.
Don is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Marcha; son, Bruce, of Singapore; daughter, Susan (Troy) Kerr of Overland Park; three grandchildren, Regan, Rachel, and James Kerr; as well as many loving, supportive family members and close friends without whom his battle with Parknison's Disease would have been much more difficult.
A funeral service for Don will be held at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, April 16, 2013, at The Church of the Resurrection, Wesley Chapel, 13720 Roe Ave, Leawood, KS. Family will greet friends from 12:30 – 2:00 pm. There will be a private burial.
Memorial contributions may be made to The Parkinson's Foundation of the Heartland, 8900 State Line Rd, Leawood, KS 66206 or Kansas City Hospice House at 12000 Wornall Rd, Kansas City, MO 64114.
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