Dr. Robert Ippel

Dr. Robert B. Ippel, 92, of Wausau passed away at his home on Thursday, April 16, 2015. Born on April 7, 1923 in Sheboygan to the late Maarten and Elizabeth (Kuel) Ippel, Bob and his family moved to Michigan in later childhood. He then graduated from Muskegon, MI Senior High School in 1941. Bob attended Muskegan Jr. College, Calvin College and Western Michigan University. Following his college years, he entered the U.S. Navy in 1943 and graduated from midshipman school in New York. Bob served on the amphibious Naval forces in the Pacific theater during WWII, participating in the assaults on Peleliu, Phillipines and Okinawa, Japan. Upon the war's end, he was honorably discharged having attained the rank of Lieutenant J.G..
After serving in the Navy, Bob attended Marquette University, where he sought a degree in Dentistry. It was around this time that Bob met Margaret "Maggie" Anderson. In 1950, Bob graduated from the School of Dentistry. On December 27 of the same year, Bob married Maggie in Milwaukee. The couple soon moved to Wausau where they raised their two children, Paul and Nancy. Bob and Maggie enjoyed riding horses together and traveling abroad. Sadly, Maggie passed away on November 26, 1980.
Bob practiced general dentistry for the first ten years of living in Wausau. He then entered an orthodontics externship for three years, graduating from Washington University in St. Louis. Bob's career in orthodontia spanned a period of many decades, from 1963 until his eventual retirement in 1990. He was a member of several professional organizations, including: American Dental Association, Marathon County Dental Association, American Association of Orthodontics and the North American Begg Orthodontic Society.
Later in life, Bob again found a partner in matrimony. He remarried Helen (Klemp) Sween on January 8, 1998, in Salt Lake City, Utah. The two enjoyed taking trips out West and visiting relatives and friends.
Bob will be remembered as an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed salmon and trout fishing on Lake Superior, hunting, and downhill skiing. Bob engaged in these activities into his early 90's. He tied his own flies and fly-fished in many blue ribbon rivers of the West, as well as Argentina, Labrador, Canada and Alaska. During his retirement, Bob had the unique opportunity to winter in Utah, spending many days on Alta's steep slopes. He was a member of renowned group of retired skiers named the "Wild Old Bunch". Bob was highly regarded as a deep powder skier. Even into his late 80's, he skied double black diamond runs.
Survivors include his wife, Helen of Wausau, his two children, Dr. Paul (Beverly Weiss) Ippel of Chippewa Falls, Dr. Nancy (Scott) Spiker of Ft. Worth, TX, two step-sons, Christian Sween of Tillamook, OR, Jay Sween of Madison. four grandchildren, Annie (Rich Haley) Ippel, Jon (Fiancée Anna Riedel) Ippel, Margaret Spiker of Chicago and Madeline Spiker of Forth Worth and two great grandchildren, Coleton Roper and Sienna Haley. One brother, Henry, and two sisters, Bette Potter and Henrietta Conroy, preceded Bob in death.
Funeral services will be held at noon, on Monday, April 20, 2015 at Christ Lutheran Church, 1300 Townline Rd., Wausau. Reverend David Wetmore will officiate. Visitation will begin at the church on Monday from 10:30 a.m. until the time of services. You may sign our family guest book at www.helke.com.
Memorials may be directed to Christ Lutheran Church or the charity of your choice.