John was born in NYC on August 6, 1929 to Heinrich and Hermine Schipper originally from Germany.
John grew up in NYC and married his childhood sweetheart, Mary Ellen (Roche) Schipper on January 17, 1953. They were married for 57 years until her death in 2010.
John served briefly in the USAF in the Korean War where he grew fond of the quickly emerging and changing Airline industry. John went on to work and later retire with Pan American Airways as a Flight Engineer, after 30 years of notoriously awarded employment. He retired in 1988 as his first, and only grandchild, was born.
John's first passion was fishing. He loved being out on the water in his boat with friends or family. From Long Island Sound to Puget Sound, as well as Lake Washington, British Columbia and Alaska, John believed a day fishing was a day well spent, whether or not he came home with bluefish, salmon or halibut to share with those fortunate enough to know him.
John lived with his wife and young family briefly in NYC, then on Long Island, NY for 20 years and finally about 40+ years in the Seattle area. John moved to Arizona in 2014 to be closer to his daughter and her husband.
John is survived by his daughter Linda (Ron) Schipper Miller of Buckeye, Arizona. His Grandson Kyle (Alton) Miller and only great-grandchild Edie Kae Miller of Centennial, Colorado.
His Daughter-in-Law Kathryn (Works) Schipper of Seattle, Wa. His Nephew Michael Roche of Phoenix, Arizona and Niece Katie Roche Tilden of Huntington, Long Island, New York.
John was preceded in death by his wife Mary Ellen Schipper and Son, Stephen L. Schipper.
Following his retirement John selflessly took care of his wife as she battled with Parkinson’s Disease for 32 years.
In later years John struggled with blindness from Macular Degeneration which challenged him in everyday life until the end.
John will be deeply missed. He will be remembered and loved for his generosity, kindness and wit.
John was blessed to have a career that took him all around the globe while flying for Pan American and hoped to share his retirement years traveling with his bride Mary, but her health made that impossible.
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