Robert Bennington Shippen

Robert Bennington “Bob” Shippen, age 93, of Idaho Falls died February 24, 2007 at Mt. Vernon Assisted Living in Idaho Falls. He was under the care of Aspen Home Health and Hospice. He was born September 2, 1913, at Menan, Idaho the son of Bennington “Ben” and Annie Olaveson Shippen. He graduated from Midway High School and attended Ricks College. Bob worked in Alaska in 1939 as a surveyor and staked claims for William R Hearst. He worked in construction, and was a pitcher and second baseman for a semi-pro baseball team in Fairbanks, Alaska. He was drafted in the U.S. Army Air Force, March 22, 1942 where he studied instrument flying and celestial navigation. He taught celestial navigation in Salina, Kansas, until being honorably discharged, as a sergeant, in December, 1945. He married Margaret Baker, April 10, 1943 in Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho. This marriage was solemnized January 28, 1949, in the Idaho Falls, L.D.S. Temple. After his discharge from the Army Air Force, Bob and Margaret returned to Menan, Idaho, where he farmed. He was a car salesman from 1952 until he retired in 1993 at the age of 80. He was a car salesman for Smith Chevrolet, Hart Pontiac, Ellsworth Dodge, and Budget Auto. Margaret died November 21, 1966. He later married Vaudis Whitmill, in August of 1967. She died January, 2002. Bob is survived by the five children he had with Margaret; Paula (Tebbs) Adams, Of Idaho Falls, Idaho, Carl (Jan) Shippen , Bob (Jorja) Shippen , Kendall (Trina) Shippen, and Dale (Lindsi) Shippen, all of Rigby, Idaho. He is survived by five sisters, Verla Ball of Idaho Falls, Ava Hessing of Boise, Idaho, Ruby (Reg) Call of Tempe, Arizona, Nelda (Calvin) Reed of Rigby, Idaho, and Twila (Tharin) Bigler of American Fork, Utah; and step children Marie (Cal) Bates, Becky (David) Croziers, and David Whitmill, 18 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by spouses, three brothers, and three sisters. Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, February 28, 2007 at the Menan L.D.S. Stake Center. The family will receive friends Tuesday evening 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Eckersell Memorial Chapel in Rigby, and Wednesday 9:45 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. at the Stake Center in Menan. Burial will be in the Annis Little Butte Cemetery. Military Rites will be performed by the Jefferson County Veterans Team.