John F. Tripp
May 16, 2009

John F. Tripp, age 58, of 2101 Jersey St., died Saturday, May 16, 2009 at 9:27 a.m. in his home.

He was born May 21, 1950 in Albany, New York, the son of H. Frederick and Frances Bostwick Tripp. On August 7, 1971 he married Barbara Richards in Canton, Missouri.

John was a graduate of Schoharie Central School, Schoharie, NY. He earned his bachelor's degree in business administration and economics at Culver-Stockton in 1972. He earned his master's degree in counseling and guidance from Truman State University in 1975.

John's career was as varied as it was accomplished. In 1972 he began his career at Prudential Insurance in sales. He moved into student personnel at Culver-Stockton College, Canton, from 1973-1977. John was director of the substance abuse center at St. Mary Hospital, Quincy; director and founder of the Blessing Hospice and Hannibal Hospice; clinic administrator and chief operating officer of the Newman Clinic in Quincy; Sales Manager of WTAD/WQCY/WMOS; and vice president of business development at Denman Services Inc. where he was instrumental in the implementation of their linen service. He completed his career as a senior lecturer in the business department at Culver-Stockton College, Canton.

John was a member and a past president (1989-1990) of the Quincy Exchange Club, where he authored their newsletter, The Exchangite, for over 20 years. He was honored as Exchangite of the Year in 1990 and recently awarded a Life Membership. He was on the Board of Trustees for Culver-Stockton College and the Board of Directors for The Quincy Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association. He was a past president of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity at Culver-Stockton College. John was a member of Spring Lake Country Club and Vermont Street United Methodist Church. He was also well-known as a public speaker, having given many keynote presentations for various organizations and events.

In his spare time, John was an avid golfer, voracious reader, writer and a die-hard Yankees fan. He hosted a cable show, "An Agenda for Quincy", interviewing the current and previous mayors of Quincy. He also wrote a weekly column on his web log, "Up Down and Around Our Town", where he chronicled area life and current events.

In addition to his wife, survivors include two daughters: Sara Betz and her husband, Mark, of Quincy; and Meredith L'Heureux and her husband, Tim, of Quincy; a grandson, Wilson Betz and a granddaughter, Sasha Betz, of Quincy; his mother, Frances Tripp of Schoharie, NY; a brother William Tripp and his wife, Sue, of LeRoy, NY; a sister, Martha Garing and her husband, Gerry, of Schenectady, NY; two nieces, Allison Mora and her husband, Josh, of Chicago, IL; and Allison Richards of St. Charles, MO; two nephews, Brent Richards of St. Charles, MO; and Paul Garing of Schenectady, NY; two great-nieces, Charlotte and Julianne Mora of Chicago, IL; a sister-in-law, Ginny Richards of Springfield, IL; a brother-in-law, Norm Richards and his wife, Linda, of St. Charles, MO; and several aunts and cousins.

He was also preceded in death by his father and an infant sister.

Services: Saturday, May 23, 2009, at 11:00 a.m. at Culver-Stockton College with the Rev. John Stemple and the Rev. Dawn Stemple officiating. Inurnment will take place in Forest Grove Cemetery in Canton, MO.

Visitation: Friday, May 22 from 4-8 p.m. at Hansen-Spear Funeral Home.

Memorials: The John and Barb Tripp Scholarship Endowment at Culver Stockton College or Quincy Public Schools Choral Music Department or Quincy Exchange Club Philanthropic Fund or Vermont Street United Methodist Church.

website: www.hansenspear.com

Hansen-Spear Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements

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