Karl E. Kipp

Karl E. Kipp, 92, husband, father, grandfather (Grandpa Grumpy), and great-grandfather passed away peacefully October 30, 2022, at Otterbein Senior Life in New Albany, OH. Karl lived a long life, even with battling cancer numerous times. Through it all, his wife Emily was by his side urging him along for almost 64 years. Karl was born July 29, 1930, in Cleveland, OH, to Charles E. and Helen O. (Kromer) Kipp. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Joan Huber and Gertrude Garvey; and his son, Michael “Mick” Kipp.

During his senior year at St. Francis High School in 1948, Karl became interested in the printing industry and worked at the Catholic Universe Bulletin. The following year he took a job with the Cleveland News, which he held until 1951, when he was drafted into the U.S. Marine Corps. Karl was a proud member of the Marine Corps for 8 years. He served active duty at Camp LeJeune from 1951-1953 and was an inactive reservist until honorably discharged in 1959.

After active duty, Karl began a six-year apprenticeship at Artcraft Electrotyping in Ashland to learn about the making of copper plating for printing. He finished his apprenticeship and got his journeyman’s card in photo engraving at Art Graveure in Cleveland. He retired from Quebecor Printing in Pennsylvania in 1997, where he was a Quality Control Manager for USA Today Weekend and managed press runs for The National Enquirer. He joked about knowing the “important news” before any of us did.

As for hobbies, Karl was a Civil War enthusiast. He read avidly about it and took his children on many tours of battlefields, much to their chagrin. He and Emily also traveled extensively during retirement and enjoyed hiking with their friends. One of his favorite journeys was a cruise to Alaska to finally see “Mt. McKinley,” something he dreamed of doing as a child.

Karl is survived by his wife, Sarah “Emily” (Akel); children, Dan (Julie) Kipp and Karla Kipp; grandchildren, Sarah (Jacob) Mercer, John Kipp, and Matoaka Kipp; and great-grandchildren, Lily and Ella Mercer.

We are thankful to the staff at Otterbein and the Mount Carmel Hospice nurses for their care of Karl during his final days. A mass and celebration of his life will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, November 19th, at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 313 N. State St., Westerville, OH. A gathering and luncheon will immediately follow at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society or the Mount Carmel Hospital Hospice.