Richard E. Gipe

Richard E. “Dick” Gipe, 87, of Oil City passed away peacefully, Wednesday July 26 at Oakwood Heights, with his wife, Janet Gipe and Pastor Josh Botts praying by his side.

He was born April 8, 1936 in Johnstown, PA., He was the son of the late Paul and Edna (Engelbach) Gipe.

Dick attended Johnstown schools, graduating from Johnstown Central Senior Highschool in 1954.

He received his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Pittsburgh in 1959.

Richard served three years in the United States Air Force as a Communications Officer.

He married Janet Bobrosky of Hastings, PA in 1963 and she survives

After several years in various positions in other areas, Dick and Janet arrived in Oil City in 1976.

He worked at GTE in Titusville as a design engineer.

In 1982 he was employed by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation as a Traffic Control Specialist in the traffic signal unit.

He retired from PennDOT in 1998. After his retirement, Dick participated in missionary work in Haiti to provide construction and engineering aide to remote communities.

Dick was an active member of First Presbyterian Church of Oil City where he served as an Elder for 24 years.

He also served as a Deacon and a trustee on the Sound Committee and as an Usher.

Richard served as a chairman of the Oil City Evangelical Covent of Churches from 1978 to 1998.

Dick also served as a driver and board member for Oil City Meals on Wheels.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Betty Traganza of Canton, OH.

He is survived by a sister Doris Hoffman and a brother Walter Gipe, both of Pittsburgh.

He is also survived by his three children; Timothy Gipe of Miami, FL, Kenneth Gipe of Clearwater, FL, and Richelle Ellis and husband Michael of Broadlands, VA.

He had several grandchildren; Timothy (TJ), Jessica, Maxwell, Benjamin, and Jake Gipe of Miami, FL, and Zachary and Maya Ellis of VA, and two great grandchildren; Jax and Madison Gipe of Miami.

Committal Services and full military honors will be accorded by the V.E.T.S. Honor Guard at 2:00 P.M. Friday July 28 in Calvary Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church in Oil City.

The Reinsel Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Condolences may be sent at www.reinselfuneralhome.com

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