Donald Morris Hippensteel

Donald Morris Hippensteel, 89, of Columbus, Ohio died in his sleep on November 12, 2017. Donald was born in Indianapolis, Indiana to Dr. Russell R. and Mrs. Ethel (Bender) Hippensteel on February 1, 1928. Don was a proud graduate and devoted alumnus of The Orchard School and served as the inaugural president of their Alumni Association. He was a 1945 graduate of Shortridge High School and attended Indiana University where he earned a BA in French in 1949, and was a lifetime alumni member.

Don was drafted at the very end of WWII, but did not need to serve, and drafted again to serve in the Korean War where he was stationed at the Camp Atterbury Army Hospital in Indiana. He studied Hospital Administration at Northwestern University and worked for several hospitals in Indiana before becoming the Superintendent of Children’s Hospital in South Bend, Indiana, which started a long career working for mental health and developmental disabilities hospitals. He was awarded with Indiana’s highest distinction and appointed as a Sagamore of the Wabash. He went on to serve as Assistant Superintendent for state hospitals in Gallipolis and Athens, Ohio. Married in 1964, he and his wife Carolyn first made their home in South Bend and then Gallipolis, Athens, and Columbus where they left a trail of lifelong friends.

A member of the Columbus First Unitarian Universalist Church for over 30 years, Don also served on the church staff and spent many late nights supervising church functions and ensuring the building was well cared for.

An aficionado of classical music, he could identify composer, title, musician, and location a piece of music was recorded after hearing just a few bars. He loved to attend concerts of all sizes and constantly had music playing. Don loved to sing in the choir, and rarely missed a rehearsal up to several weeks before his passing. He loved news and history and had total recall of anything he read or heard, which he would tell in great detail to anyone who would listen. Don was passionate about social justice and as recently as two years ago could be found on the picket line demanding better conditions for migrant workers.

Don was preceded in death by his parents and his stepmother Faith (Ritz)Engle Hippensteel.

Loving husband and proud father, he is survived by his wife, Carolyn Hays Hippensteel of 54 years; a daughter, Sarah Hippensteel (Douglas “Dusty”) Hall of Springfield, Ohio; a son, Russell Hays (Cumi) Hippensteel of Marengo, Ohio; a granddaughter, Emma Pauline Hall; three grandsons, Logan (Nikki) Hall, Dylan Hall, and Brendan Fox; a stepsister Suzanne Engel (Henry) Gurr; plus numerous nephews, nieces, and cousins.

A memorial will take place at 10 a.m. on December 9 at the First Unitarian Universalist Church in Columbus, Ohio with a brunch to follow.  In lieu of flowers, please give to The B.R.E.A.D. Organization.