John Hipp

1926 – 2006 John Belt Hipp, of Overland Park, Kansas, passed away at home August 1, 2006, after a three-year battle with cancer. Born in Muskogee, Okla., January 22, 1926, he spent most of his childhood in Colorado Springs, Colo. At 17, he joined the Coast Guard and served on an LST in the South Pacific during World War II. After the War, he studied Architectural Engineering at the University of Colorado. He then attended the University Of Kansas School Of Architecture, where he received a degree in Architectural Design and Engineering in 1952. He was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. John began his career as an Architect at Magnolia Petroleum in Dallas and then became a partner of Simon and Hipp, then Hipp and Hoskins in Denver, Colo. In 1967, he moved to Madison, Wis., where he was appointed State Architect serving from 1967 – 1971. He returned to private practice as a partner in the Milwaukee firm of Johnson, Wagner, Isley, Widen and Hipp. While in Wisconsin, he served as President of the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Institute of Architects. In 1979, John was appointed Kansas State Architect by former Gov. John Carlin. John was a key player in one of the most active periods of building at the state university campuses in Kansas’ history. He was also a key player in the complex transaction between the state, the city and the Santa Fe Railway. In 1987, he joined the Lawrence, Kan., firm of PKG (now GLPM) until retiring in 1991. He continued serving as an Architectural Consultant well into his retirement years and became active in the community, serving on the board of Nottingham Court Homes Association. John was preceded in death by parents, Mary Belt and John George Frederick Hipp. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Barbara O’Neal; his three children: Susan, Los Angeles, Calif.; Linda, Overland Park, Kan.; Shelly (Tom) Rockford, Ill.; three grandchildren: Theodora, David and Andrew; and sister Mary Jane Misthos (George), Arlington Heights, Ill. His charismatic personality, wit and charm endeared John to all he met. Until the very end, his ability to find humor in every situation helped to ease his illness. A heartfelt thank you is extended by the family to all of his doctors especially, Drs. Gruenebaum, Maslan, and Davidner; as well as Kansas City Hospice, neighbors, friends and family. A private family service will be held at a later date. Contributions in his memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, as well as the University Of Kansas School Of Architecture.