06/02/2026
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/denver-co/richard-shipley-12322638
We were able to reach Rose Shipley to verify that the linked obituary is her late husband's and our classmate's. She was kind enough to send a note with details of their life that I will share with you.
Linda, I am Rosella (Rose) Shipley. My dear husband, Richard, did graduate from Fort Hill as part of the Class of 1966.
He entered the US Air Force in November 1966 and served until November 1986. We met in Denver in 1967, we were married in January 1968. We have two children, four granddaughters, and two great grandsons (one 11 months and one two months currently).
Once retired from the air force, Rick worked summer camp at Boy Scout camp, drove school bus, and then went to work repairing instruments for Continental Airlines, seven years. Continental left Denver and he went to work in Boulder, CO, for Particle Measuring Company building particle counting machines, nine years. PM downsized and Rick went to work closer to home for DISH repairing satellite receivers and writing training materials, ten years. During that 26 years, he completed his college education receiving his bachelor's degree and master's degrees in personnel management and theology.
Rick retired in June 2012. We went to Senegal, Africa, two summers on mission trips with our church. He loved to travel so we visited each of the 50 United States, cruised 150 nights, and spent time with family as often as we could.
Rick did pass on March 30, 2025. His passing was sudden and related to Agent Orange from his year in Vietnam, 1968-69. Christmas 2024 he was healthy. December 28th T-cell lymphoma attached the lymph nodes in his eyes and then his whole body. Doctors had trouble diagnosing what was happening. He was finally diagnosed on March 20th and went to be with our Lord ten days later.
We had a three-week cruise planned for April 2025 which we didn't get to take. So this coming October 2026, our kids, grands, and great grands, and i are going to celebrate Rick by going on the same cruise that Rick and I went on in 1995...the first cruise that Rick and I did.
Thank you for recognizing Rick. He was always proud of being from Cumberland and graduating from Fort Hill. His memories of friends and school were valued and gladly shared with anyone close.
I hope the above will help the class as you celebrate 60 years. I just went to my 60th class reunion as well. It was fabulous. I wish all of you good memories and long, long friendships.
God bless you all!
