Friday, October 27, 2023
Rich Whipple passed last evening.
Please keep Robin and the Whipple family in your thoughts and prayers.
Richard Scott Whipple, 59, passed away Thursday, October 26, 2023 from a courageous battle with cancer. Rich was born on May 11, 1964 to Gary and Ann (Kinser) Whipple at Lackland Air Force Base Hospital in San Antonio, TX. He moved here with his parents and sister permanently in 1976 to Ellsworth A.F.B. and moved to Rapid City in 1978. Rich graduated from Stevens High School in 1982.
After many years together, he was united in marriage on October 2, 2004 to Robin Gorsuch. They made their home in Black Hawk
Rich had a passion for drag racing and it began at an early age with his Dad’s encouragement. There developed a special bond between son and Dad, which lasted until his death. From Rich’s first serious race car, a Vega called “Sweet Emotion” in his early teens to a Fiat Topeleno, to his current blown fuel altered.
He always had a quest to make them better, different and faster. It was always a family affair. They included his wife Robin, his dad Gary, his crew chief Don, his mom Ann, his sister Wendy, and many, many others that gave their time to help. Everything from working on the car, re-fueling, maintenance, helping him get into the car and strapping him in. Directing him back to the starting line, getting him staged, and last-minute checks. Then he was off on a safe and straight run.
Rich and Robin opened Whipple Racing Products, with manufactured hood scoops and firewalls. Eventually became a full-blown retail and mechanic shop working on modern cars, hot rods, customs, race cars, boats, tractors, snow removal trucks and even a hydro seeder. They are also the Western South Dakota distributor of racing fuels and Penn Grade oil.
They have supported Sturgis Dragway for years and many of the cars that race there can be seen with a Whipple Racing sticker. They also supported the Junior Dragster program, sponsoring youngsters just starting out.
Bobbie, their Pug, is a constant greeter at the shop and was doted on by Rich and Robin. She is their baby and has been of great comfort to Robin
Above all, Rich was a man of integrity and honesty. If he told you something, you never had to question it. He valued the quality of his work and the reputation of his business. Rich was a man of great compassion and if anyone needed his help, he was always there to aid them in getting their cars, hot rods, race cars to perform. He had a very special smile and a droll sense of humor, right up to the end. His friends were very important to him. He and Robin enjoyed spending time with all of them and their spouses, every chance they had. It showed how special he was to them, towards the end they were there to help any way they could.
Rich will be missed by so many family, friends and neighbors. He is survived by his wife, Robin; parents, Gary and Ann Whipple; sister, Wendy Whipple; nephew, Sean Lamke; sister-in-law’s, Gene Logry, Christy Hashisaki, Heather Parker; brother-in-law’s, Duane (Joann) Gorsuch, Mike (Connie) Gorsuch, David (Tammy) Gorsuch, Jeff (Pam) Gorsuch and Brian Gorsuch; and numerous nieces and nephews and Grand nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by both sets of Grand Parents, Aunts and Uncles, Mother-in-law, Father-in-law, brother-in-law and Step mother-in-law.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial may be made in Richard “Rich” Whipple name to: Monument Health Cancer Care Institute 353 Fairmont Blvd. Rapid City, SD. 57701
The family would like to thank all his doctors and nurses at the Cancer Institute, Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, and all his caregivers at the Monument Hospice House for his care over these last 16 months.
Friends and family are invited to a visitation on Saturday, November 4, 2023 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home.
A funeral service will be held Sunday, November 5 at The Box Event Center, 631 Watiki Way, Box Elder, SD, 57719. Burial will follow at Fairburn Cemetery in Fairburn SD.
