Robert F. Tipton

long, hard-fought battle with cancer. He was known by many names - Tip, Robert, Bobby,

Bob, Dad, Papa and Paca - but all who knew him loved him. He was a kind, gentle, loving

man who always took the time to get to know those he encountered.

Tip was born on February 15, 1949, to Robert and Susan (Griffin) Tipton in Louisville, KY,

the youngest of three children. He graduated from Flaget High School in 1967.

Tip served in the Army from 1969 until 1971, when he was honorably discharged and

transferred to the Reserves until 1975. He remained dedicated to following stories about

those who were POWs/MIAs, and participated in welcoming several of them home.

In 1968, Tip began his lifetime career with the railroad, working for K & I Railroad, which

later became Norfolk Southern. He was a train dispatcher and was extremely proud of the

work he did. He retired in 2009, after 41 years of dedicated service. The sight or sound of a

train always made him smile. He would say it was one of the most beautiful sounds in the

world.

Tip loved his family above all else. He took great pride in, and loved to talk about, his

children and grandchildren. His heart belonged to his wife, Glo, whom he lovingly referred to

as his bride. We have all heard him ask “Where’s my beautiful bride?” more times than we

can count. She was his Everything, and he was her Rock. They were married for 38 years

and were almost always together. Best friends, lovers, confidantes, sparring partners —

their love story is one for the ages.

A lover of music, trains, flower gardening, fantasy football, and the University of Louisville

Cardinals. He enjoyed nothing more than talking to people about those topics, or anything

else anyone wanted to discuss, and for however long.

Tip is survived by his wife, Gloria Tipton; along with four children: Heather Grant (Drew) of

Montgomery, Alabama, Jeff Grant (Taunya) of Moody, Alabama, Jenna Massey (Bryan) of

Louisville, Kentucky, and Rob Tipton of New Baden, Illinois; four grandchildren: Blake,

Dylan, Bourne and Hannah; his sister, Barbara Cravens; nieces Christie Crush and Sandy

Goad; 2 great-nephews; and 1 great-great-nephew. Tip was preceded in death by his

parents; his sister Elizabeth “Betty” Offutt; and his granddaughter Taylor Massey.

His life will be celebrated beginning at 9:00 AM, Thursday, July 1 at Ridout’s Trussville

Chapel, 1500 Gadsden Hwy, Birmingham, AL 35235. A memorial will follow at 11:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to the American Cancer Society.