Robert Ford Whipple Obituary

Robert Ford “Bob” Whipple, 90, of Hot Springs Village, passed from this life on Thursday, September 17, 2020 after nearly 20 years battling prostate cancer. Bob was born January 27, 1930 to Ford G. and Margaret B. Whipple in Waupaca, WI. He was preceded in death by his parents and only sister, Jean Gumbert.
Surviving are his wife of 66 years, Eyvonne, of HSV, daughter Diane Godman and husband David Godman of Salisbury, NC, daughter Paula Whipple and husband Jeff Watson of Corvalis, OR and son David Whipple and Petra Miller of Dallas, TX; grandchildren David "Andy" Whipple and Matthew Whipple of Dallas, TX, Amy Godman Pass (Christopher) of Maryville, TN, and Mark Godman of Roanoke, VA.
Bob served in the United States Navy Reserves program. After a Mediterranean cruise, he was released, but later called back to active duty and deployed to Japan and Inchan, Korea where he participated in evacuating wounded soldiers to hospital ships in the bay. After military service, he attended General Motors Institute in Flint, MI graduating in dealership management via an internship program. During his internship in Madison, WI, he was reintroduced to a high school acquaintence, Eyvonne, and they were married just prior to his graduation from GMI in 1954. He spent almost 40 years in automobile insurance claims adusting in Madison, WI, Panama City, FL, Houston, TX and finally in Dallas, TX. He and Eyvonne relocated to Hot Springs Village, AR in 1994.
He was a faithful member of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Hot Springs Village. He served twice as president of the HSV Shrine Club. He was an active member of the VFW Post 10483 and American Legion Post 123. Tracing his ancestry back to the American revolution, he recently became a member of Sons of the American Revolution. He really enjoyed playing with the 9-Hole Golf Association and was an avid flyer with the Radio Control Airplane Club of Hot Springs.
No visitation is planned at this time. A celebration of his life will be arranged through Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, HSV after the COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children: https://donate.lovetotherescue.org