San Francisco Examiner
Sunday, July 9, 2000
Section B, page 10

FRANK "RIP" CARL RIPPON
[picture]

Passed away peacefully with his family at his side on June 26, 2000 in San Ramon.

Frank "Rip" Carl Rippon was born in San Francisco on September 21st, 1918. He attended schools in San Francisco and graduated from Polytechnic High School, class of 1936.

Rip started working for Standard Oil of California (Chevron) at the San Francisco headquarters in 1936. He married Helen Grace Martinelli on December 20th, 1941 in San Rafael, California. In 1942, Rip enlisted in the Army Air corps and after completing Officer Candidate School at Yale, Connecticut he was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant. He was assigned to the 364th Fighter Group in Honington, England as a Staff Photo Officer. Discharged from the service in 1946 as a Captain, Rip returned to Standard Oil and served as Supervisor of Photography in the General Services Department. He retired from Chevron Corporation in 1982 with 46 years of service.

Rip began his football photography coverage in 1937 shooting the Cal Bears home games, and continued on as a freelance photographer for the San Francisco Forty Niners from 1946 to 1982. His photos have appeared in numerous publications, including San Francisco Forty Niners Programs, Super Bowl Programs, many NFL publications, as well as hundreds of books on football and his photos continue to be published to this day.

Rip and his wife, Grace, raised their family of five children in Novato and then moved to Nevada City in 1984 to enjoy retirement. In 1998, Rip and Grace relocated to Danville to be closer to their family.

Rip will be greatly missed by all that knew and loved him.

He is survived by his wife, Helen Grace; son, Steve and his wife Pat of Danville; daughter, Susan and her husband Phil Millhollon of Millbrae; son, Barry of San Rafael; son, Bruce of Walnut Creek; daughter, Kerry and her husband Mike Watson of Chico; 3 granddaughters, Molly Millhollon of San Mateo and Caitlin and Alyssa Rippon of Danville; numerous nieces and nephews and close friends Ken and Miriam Patton of Nevada City.

A private funeral will be held. Memorial contributions in honor of Rip may be directed to the American Diabetes Association, the Alzheimer's Association, or to a favorite charity of your choice.

Is this the same Frank Rippon that lived with William and pauline Bustorf during the 1930's? he was about 11 years old. story is his parents couldn't take care of him. He took photos out of airplanes. that's all my family can remember about him. is this the same person.?
Karen

Hi Karen -

Yes this is the same Frank. I'm his oldest child. I remember grandpa and grandma Bustorf. They were very nice people.

Are you related to the Bustorf's ?

Steve

Yes, they were my Great Aunt and Uncle( my grandmothers sister ) I have one picture with him in it and that's all I know! Both aunt Pauline and Uncle Will died in 1964! My mother was Carol June Vocke-Feige. Can you share some info on Frank for my family tree?

Thank you,

Karen Feige-Braemer
aliceruthemily@aol.com

Hi Steve:

I knew your father well, and was sorry to hear of his passing. I worked with him in the photo dept. at Chevron, and even photographed his retirement party.

I often think of your father -- he was an extraordinary person, and a mentor to me as well. BTW, I also remember you from Chevron -- we met a couple of times in front of 575.

--David