Shirley Richard (“Richard”) Hipp

Shirley Richard (“Richard”) Hipp, 83, of Lakewood, Colo., passed away at home on Monday, Jan, 11, 2021, after a long and hard-fought battle with cancer. Born in Monette, Richard was the one and only son of the late Shirley Hipp, Sr. and Dorothy Hipp of Blytheville. After graduating high school in Blytheville, Richard’s parents sent him across the state to the University of Arkansas in a shiny new Oldsmobile, where he completed his undergraduate degree in business, and then went on to graduate from the U of A Law School in 1962.

Upon graduation, Richard embarked on a lengthy career as an unusually caring lawyer. It began with a law firm in Fayetteville and led to Richard being named Outstanding Young Man of Arkansas in 1967. In 1983, because of a love for the great outdoors, he and his family moved to Evergreen, Colo., where his career continued to flourish. In his later years, he and his wife, Martha, moved to Lander Wy., where he essentially volunteered his time as a legal aide to clients who might otherwise not have benefited from expert legal counsel. Many of his clients were Native Americans.

Richard’s work with the forestry service in Washington State early in life ignited his passion for hiking and cross-country skiing. While at the University of Arkansas, Richard belonged to the Young Democrats Club. This sparked his life-long passion for politics. As an extremely compassionate person, Richard found joy in helping the homeless, spending time with his two grandsons, Miles Kostolansky and James Piana, and caring for his beloved dog, Murray.

He is survived by his wife, Martha Hipp; son Rick Hipp; daughter Lisa Kostolansky; stepdaughter Heidi Badaracco; sons-in-law, Kris Kostolansky and Jiffy Ronquillo-Hipp; his two grandsons and many other family members and friends in Arkansas, Colorado, Washington, Wyoming, Arizona, California and China.

Richard will be remembered for his good looks, full head of hair, sense of humor and most of all - for his gentle nature. The family plans to hold an outdoor celebration in honor of Richard this summer in the mountains of Colorado.