James Francis Ripp

Birth date: Sep 18, 1958 Death date: Feb 3, 2020

James Francis Ripp, 61, of Blacksburg, VA, passed of natural causes on February 3, 2020. Born in Glen Cove, NY on September 18, 1958. James had multiple master’s degrees from Virginia Tech. He was employed with Northrop Grumman as Read Obituary

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Jim Kelliher

301w ago

Mr. Fry's 11th grade electronics repair class, Jim by far his most advanced student. Diplomacy, the game. Mr. Electron, Jim's holiday-home in Wheaton for several years. Housing him one summer while we were both undergrads. His old much worn Ford Falcon stolen from a Rockville parking lot, for which I don't think Jim ever gave up hope of finding. His many Master's degrees not wanting to leave his college life in Blacksburg. Our shared love of badminton.

Knocking me, stunned, out of my chair into the aisle in Mr. Caldwell's Advanced Biology class with a super-charged capacitor hidden in a pen he so innocently offered me after clandestinely stealing all of mine. Using super glue to rescue a C- for us in our dissection of a frog's nervous system after I clumsily severed its nerve cord at the neck.

Making a space for me in his crowded house on my many drives from Austin back home to Northern Virginia. Black Russians his only, and occasional, drink.

Jim was an eccentric man with a gentle heart. He helped people in many small ways without making a big deal of it. I regret losing touch with Jim four years ago. I just now found out about his passing through a Google search.

- Jim's buddy Jim.

Eliot Teagle

307w ago

It was great working with Jim, he was a real team player and a very detail oriented engineer. We was very resourceful and flexible. I enjoyed his quick wit, and had many fun talks with him about old movies and sci-fi TV series!

Eliot Teagle

Sharon Marsh

307w ago

To the family,

I offer my sincere condolences for your loss. While working at NGC, I witnessed Jim’s determination, tenacity, and unyielding strength as he came and went each day. Though I never worked him, he was a great inspiration for me directly. So much so, that I had told others about this man at work, who with his physical disabilities, would have had every reason, every right, to use it as an excuse not to move forward, not to be independent, not to come to work, but not him. He came in everyday, he did not ask for special treatment, nor did he want you to go out of your way to hold doors nor wait for him to get to the door, nor hold the elevator up waiting for him. And, he did it with such a quiet sweet spirit and a warm disposition. How could one not gain some perspective on how one ought to carry himself or herself in spite of your circumstances after coming in contact with Jim...May you be comforted in knowing he touched others by the example he lived...May he Rest In Peace. - Sharon Marsh

Scott Throwe

308w ago

I offer my sincere condolences for your loss. I worked with Tom at EPA for over 25 years and heard many stories of his brother. May he rest in Peace❤️ .

Robert Higgins

308w ago

I always looked forward to working with Jim. He was open to new ideas, and eager to share his ideas. He accomplished many challenging electronic designs. One of these designs led to a contract award that has led to even more product orders. The first of those products is in space now! On another of his designs, he developed an RF power amplifier. This is a tricky design type, with many ways to fail, but Jim’s design worked very well the first time! Jim was quick to laugh and a kind and gentle man. My sincere condolences to his family and friends. I will miss him.

Steve Williams

309w ago

I was fortunate to work with Jim as we stood up a new lab at NGC. He was kind, thoughtful, intelligent, and shared a love for radio electronics. Despite his nagging disability, he would come in early and stay late, with a goal to keep us progressing forward. We commiserated over the troubles in the support groups that made our life harder, but Jim would figure out a way to work around whatever issue was plaguing the project. I will miss him, and wish the best for his survivors.
Sincerely,
Steve Williams

Nicole

309w ago

Jim was a very kind man. While I did not work with him directly we often talked in the elevator or the hallways. I was always impressed with his intelligence and positivity. I will miss those daily interactions with him.

Elizabeth Mashakas

309w ago

I heard the news about the passing of Jim and am deeply saddened. I had the honor of recruiting him into Orbital Sciences Corporation and then the pleasure of working with him for many years. He was truly one of the kindest, most sincere individuals who quietly could lighten up the room with his humble charm. My condolences to all who knew him as we are all painfully aware of what we have lost.

Armella Schroder

309w ago

I had the honor of working briefly with Jim recently. I was so impressed at his dedication and attention to detail. My condolences to his family and friends.

Armella

Graham Edwards

309w ago

While I didn't work directly with Jim, we did share a few laughs. We bonded over tech gadgets (such as the 3D-printers, which his office was adjacent to), family (he seemed to be quite fond of his brother), and late work nights (he'd often be here till close to midnight). I'd like to share my condolences to all that knew this gentle humble humorous hardworking soul.

-Graham

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