Gifts & Memorial Donations
Michael Richard Kipps, “Mike,” of Williamsburg, Va., passed away on June 1, 2023. Mike was born in Pennsylvania in 1943 to Lt. Col. Henry Edward Kipps and Kathryn Mary Kipps. During his father’s Army career he lived in Tremont, PA., Japan, New York City, and Newfoundland. He resided in Williamsburg, Va. from the late 1950’s until his death.
Mike worked for Colonial Williamsburg for over 30 years. During that time he was the Master Printer and later the Director of Historic Trades. After retirement, he operated a private business, The Vintage Bindery of Williamsburg.
Mike enjoyed many hobbies and interests over the years. In his earlier adult years he owned and raced a small sailboat and enjoyed sailing the local waterways, played and coached volleyball, and was an avid rock climber. Inspired by his long time interest in model railroading, he developed an “HO scale” layout based on a train route from his childhood in Pennsylvania. Mike also enjoyed camping and hiking, especially in The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, as well as scuba diving and lawn bowling. He and his wife traveled for several decades in their vintage travel trailer. Mike also developed an interest in cooking and would labor to produce special meals for his family.
Mike is survived by his wife of 38 years, Patricia “Robin” Shafer Kipps; his daughter Kathryn “Kathy” Kahler (Ike) of Davis, West Virginia; his daughter Mary Anne Cummins (Chris) of Williamsburg, Virginia; grand-children Philip Westenberger, James Kahler (Chandler), Hannah Cummins; step-grandson Stephen Cummins (Michelle); and great-grandchildren Noah and Gabriel Westenberger; sister-in-law Janea’ Whitacre (Ed); mother-in-law Marilyn Shafer-Asprey; father-in-law Don Shafer (Ann); step sisters-in-law Donna Tamkin, and Linda Argust(Tom).
The service will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests making a donation to their favorite charity in honor of Michael R. Kipps.
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