Memorial for Rich Lipnick

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Copperopolis Armory on Saturday, May 21 at 2:00pm. Former students of Rich’s are encouraged to attend.

Richard “Rich” Lipnick

July 3, 1938 – May 15, 2011

Copperopolis resident Rich Lipnick died May 15, 2011 at his home. He was 72.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, he and his twin brother ran away from home at age 17 to join the Navy. He retired from the Navy after 20 years, serving three separate tours in Vietnam.  While in the San Diego area (early 1960’s) he was part of a civilian committee working with the CHP to develop motorcycle licensure skills testing and helmet laws.

During the 70‘s he coached volleyball, basketball, softball and baseball at St. Athanasius School in Mountain View. He was also heavily involved with the Boy Scouts, becoming District Commissioner for the Stanford Council and was elected Man of the Year.

After the Navy, he worked for a variety of companies from security, technical recruiting, maintenance supervisor, company fleet manager, to locksmith, ending at Copperopolis Elementary. There, he drove school bus for five years, then began to manage the computer lab as a technician, and teaching computer science to every student from Kindergarten through 6^th grade. During this time he also coached girls’ volleyball and refereed girls’ and boys’ basketball. At the same time, he worked with the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Volunteers starting many programs including child seat safety inspections in Calaveras and Amador counties and lake patrol assistance. He retired from Copperopolis School at age 68.

In 2005 he bought a motorcycle and joined the Gold Wing Road Riders Association local chapter CA2N, Gold Country Wings, involving them in the Copperopolis Homecoming Parade every year.

Rich is survived by his wife, Carolyn; children Mike, Michelle, and Stephanie of the Bay Area; grandchildren Christine, Nicole, Daniel, William, Maegan, and Jonathan; and great-grandchildren Joey and Devin. He was preceded in death by his twin brother, Ronald.

The Rich Lipnick Memorial Fund is being established to provide college scholarships to his former students, at Bret Harte High School.