From: Nunes-Pottinger Funeral Service Staff

Nunes-Pottinger Funeral Service Staff send our condolences to family and friends.

From: Ted Cronmiller
Relation: worked together in emergencies as the ambulance chief and RCMP chief.

It is with great shock and sadness that I read about the passing of Rip. He had always been a supporter of my efforts whether as the RCMP head or a town councillor. I considered Rip a friend and will miss him dearly. My heart goes out to the family and Andrea we Joyce and I hold a special place in out hearts for you as life goes on without Rip My he rest in peace.

From: Gloria Spooner
Relation: Mother of his children

My deepest sympathy to the Riplinger family for their loss. “Rip” will be missed by so many in the community who also knew him . He loved life and his family and enjoyed every minute he spent with them as well as residents/friends and the town of Osoyoos. Rest in peace Rip.

From: Ernie Aschenbrenner
Relation: School friend

I was extremely saddened to hear about Wilfred’s passing.I have very old memories of playing soccer,basketball, and softball with him.He was a very good athlete. I can still remember him giving me the raz while I was up to bat and he was catching saying”lets get this cuke picker out.” From his obituary he had a very active and rewarding life.His family and friends will always have fond memories of him.It was a priviledge to have grown up with your husband,fatherand grandfather.
Ernie Aschenbrenner

From: Andrew McGibbon
Relation: friend

Andrea and family; Where do I start? I am deeply saddened to hear of the loss of Rip but I feel so fortunate to have known him. The fun we used to have during and after curling so many years ago. For me those years were electric. How many times did Rip and I end up shaking out all the change we had in our pockets for the “cab fare only” pile and to then laugh so hard and get so carried away we had to call for a ride anyway cause the pile disappeared somehow!? The fun and laughs we had bonspieling with Walter, Jamie, Gerald, Sven, Harold, Alex…….those days for me will never be replaced. When Bo Genovese came to the rink in his chair and would watch through the glass I could see there was more to his wishes than watching. I’ll never forget saying to Rip “Hey Ripper……I think he wants to play. What do you think if we bring him out here to the hog line and see if he can shoot from the chair?” His immediate answer without hesitation was “RRRRRIGHT AWAY LETS ROLL HIM OUT HERE AND SEE WHAT HE’S GOT!” and from there Bo was on “our team” not only on the ice…..but upstairs too. That to me showed what kind of person Rip truly was. Rip was more than just a hoot to be with and who gave me the sorest ribs experienced from laughter, his true colors came through when a hand was needed he was always there to help. His drywall work was in my house, (in all of our houses for that matter), my shop, the curling rink……..I could go on and on. At a pivotal time in my world when it was just the boys and I Rip was there. He gave me advice which I still replay in my mind over and over again to this day……….cause it just made sense. I’ve not seen Rip for a long time but I know if I was in front of him today…..nothing would’ve changed other than how much we have aged. Rest in peace Ripper.

From: Lorill Mraze
Relation: A friend of wife Andrea

Thinking of you at this sad time,lots of love

From: Ken & Karen Sieben & family
Relation: Long time friends

My family and I have had the good fortune to be a friend of Rip’s for 40 years. He was a man who made you feel better and brought out more fun and laughter than any person I ever knew. We worked together in construction, fire department and he was my unit chief when I was with the ambulance service. Rip was a great parimedic the ultimate professional so great with people he brought a calm peaceful and a respectful aura to all his ambulance situations. He was a true “Osoyoos Character”, who used catch phrases like, “My name is Rip – R-I-Fing-P how do you like me so far”; ” If I tell you I’d have to kill you” ; ” A mans got to do what a mans got to do ” . My favorite Rip phrase was “don’t let fear and common sense hold you back.” Rip never let anything or anybody hold him back anything he put his hand to he succeeded and excelled. He was a great and loyal friend and a wonderful family man who made everyone a better person .

Take care my dear friend we will meet again.

Love, Ken, Karen, Bill, Gayla, Ken Jr and our families

From: Russ and Shorty Wilkinson
Relation: Neighbor

Andrea, we would like to pass on our sincere condolences to you and your family. We know he will be sadly missed by all of you. May he rest in peace.
Russ and Shorty

From: Lena Sheardown
Relation: Long time friend

Over the years we had many great times together with Rip and Andrea.
He was extremely well liked and respected and yes, he knew how to make people laugh. He always had that twinkle in his eyes.
Rip will be dearly missed by so many.
I am sorry we can’t be there Andrea, but, please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers and have been since we heard the sad news.
Deepest sympathy to you and the family.
Love, Lena and Keith