Hugh Lippitt

Hugh William Lippitt, 70, of Loves Park passed away Wednesday, March 3, 2021, in his home, after a short but intense battle with cancer.  Born July 6, 1950, in Rockford, the son of William and Jean (Mainland) Lippitt.  Graduated from Guilford High School in Rockford, Class of 1968 and earned a bachelor’s degree from Northern Illinois University in 1978.  Veteran of the Vietnam Conflict, serving in the U.S. Army.  Married Christine Ross on February 16, 1974, in Rockford; they were later divorced.  Employed by Milestone Inc. in 1980 as an accountant for 39 years where he spent his career, retiring in 2019, as the chief financial officer.  Hugh was a quiet man known for his dry sense of humor.  He had an outrageous pun or a “dad joke” for every occasion.  He was a kind soul who often quietly helped others and who had a special knack for amusing children.  Hugh enjoyed reading and was a sports fan, supporting the Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, and later in life enjoying English premier league soccer.  He was curious about the world, visiting most of the United States as a child, Europe and Asia in his youth and Africa later in life.  He was devoted to his grandchildren and loved the outdoors.  Hugh has taken his grandchildren to visit many state, county and local parks in northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin.  Survivors include his daughters, Heather (Scott) Merritt of Johannesburg, South Africa, Erin Lippitt of Rockford, and Megan Lippitt of Loves Park; son, Ian Lippitt of Rockford; grandchildren, Rory and Maia Merritt of Johannesburg, South Africa, and Dylan Lippitt of Rockford.  Predeceased by his parents.

Private family services and burial in Kishwaukee Cemetery, 9552 North Kishwaukee Road, Stillman Valley.  Arrangements by Delehanty Funeral Home, Ltd., 401 River Lane, Loves Park.  In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Harkins Community Memorial Foundation; go to:  harkinscommunitymemorialfund.wordpress.com or to OSF Hospice.