Ronald D. “Rip” Ripper, 79, of South Buffalo Township passed away peacefully at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Alle-Kiski Medical Center.

He was born in Natrona Heights on July 19, 1923. He was the son of the late Violet (Schreckengost) and Dale Ripper.

Rip served in the U.S. Navy as a signal man during the Korean War.

After the war he worked as a supervisor at Barber Steel and later at Crucible Steel in Midland, Pa.

Rip was an active member of the Riverside Community Church in Frazer Township. Rip managed several church softball teams, and was an avid Steelers and Pirates fan. He hand mowed his almost two acres of yard up until this summer. His front yard was nicknamed “Ripper Stadium,” where the family held many football games over the years. He enjoyed going out to eat, playing horseshoes, camping, vegetable gardening, playing the guitar, traveling and singing at different retirement homes with his church, and handing out Christian “tracts” pamphlets to anyone he met. Rip was very proud of his solo missionary trip to London.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Eileene M. (Brannon) Ripper; their two children, Michael (Linda) Ripper and Sherri (Russell) Walker; four grandchildren, Courtney, Jennifer and Russell Walker and Karlay Ripper; four sisters, Carol (Wes) Hessom, Pat (Ed) Young, Mary Carney and Doris Nolf; and his brother, Fred (Faye) Ripper.

He is was preceded in death by his brother, Earl “Sonny” Ripper; his aunt and uncle who raised him, LaVern and Neil Ripper; and his stepmother, Freda Ripper.

RIPPER — Family and friends of Ronald D. “Rip” Ripper, who passed away Wednesday, July 10, 2013, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the Redmond Funeral Home, 524 High St., Freeport. Funeral service will be in the funeral home at 10 a.m. Saturday with the Rev. Laurie Lesoon officiating.Burial service will be in Sarverville Cemetery in Sarver.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675.To send a condolence, visit www.redmondfuneralhomeinc.com.