Edward Brandt Hipp, Sr. ’42

Edward Brandt Hipp, Sr. ’42, 91, formerly of Raleigh, N.C. died on Nov. 19, 2012, in Greensboro, N.C. He was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Dorothy Duff Hipp. Hipp was born in Charlotte on Aug. 30, 1921, to Louis M Hipp and Charlotte Rucker Hipp. He grew up in Greensboro, where he was an Eagle Scout, Golden Gloves champion, and varsity athlete in several sports. After graduating from Davidson, Hipp was recruited by the NFL to play for the Philadelphia Eagles, but he chose to volunteer for service in WWII. He was a captain in the U.S. Army, fought in the Battle of Hürtgen Forest, and received the Silver Star and the Purple Heart. While being treated in an Army hospital, he met a beautiful Army nurse. He and Dottie were married in 1946. After graduating from law school at UNC Chapel Hill, Hipp began his 40-year career as a lawyer in Raleigh. He served on the N.C. Utilities Commission for a number of years and was on the federal panel that oversaw the breakup of AT&T’s monopoly over the telecommunications industry before retiring in 1989. Hipp was a dedicated member of the First Presbyterian Church for more than 60 years. He was a member of the Vanguard class, and served as a deacon, elder, and Sunday school teacher. He was a leader in the efforts of First Presbyterian to keep Peace College open in Raleigh. He also was active in many Raleigh civic organizations. Hipp loved the beaches of North Carolina, and it is believed that he took his family to every seafood restaurant between Calabash and Beaufort. He was a skilled swimmer and jon boat captain, and he patiently shared his miniature golf skills and love of the ocean with his children and grandchildren. He also taught them the pleasures of long conversations at the dinner table. His family treasures the fun they had with him, but even more the example he set for them as a gentleman of the old school. Hipp is survived by his children, Donna Horton, 688 Linns Pt., Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464-5149, Edward B. Hipp (Dell), and Ellen Smith (Spencer); and 10 grandchildren. He greatly loved and admired his brothers, Charlie Hipp and Louie Hipp ’39, and his sister, Martha Henson, and his many nieces and nephews and their families.