Robert Hipps

"Beloved Husband, Father, & Friend" Canton – Robert "Bob" Reynolds Hipps, age 93, passed away on Friday, May 20, 2016 at Silver Bluff Nursing Home. A native and lifelong resident of Haywood County, he was a son of the late James Baxter and Mae Chapman Hipps. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Aylene Yelton Hipps, who died in 2012; three brothers, Herschel, Gudger, and Henry Hipps; and seven sisters, Hazel Pressley, Emma Lou Rhinehart, Grace Kirkpatrick, Mary Robinson, Ruth Burch, Jessie Jacobs, and Sallie Mae Wright. Robert was a 1940 graduate of Canton High School where he was an outstanding student athlete earning letters in wrestling and football. He joined the US military service in 1942 and soon volunteered for the newly formed airborne branch. While in the service, Robert played for the Army football team at Camp Mackall where he completed his paratrooper training. Robert served in the 17th Airborne Division, "Thunder From Heaven" in the 464th Field Artillery Battalion (Branigan's Bastards). His unit served with distinction in the largest airborne operation in history, Operation Varsity, the allied attack crossing the Rhine River into Germany. His artillery unit was among the first allied forces to cross the Rhine and played an important role in the battle, defending key bridges over the Issel River and driving off German counter attacks. After the war, Robert returned to his beloved family farm in Haywood County and purchased his first farmland. Robert had a strong attraction to farming, especially beef cattle. As a 14-year-old 4-H member, Robert brought what is believed to be the first registered Angus heifer to WNC under the 4-H Heifer exchange program. In 1948, Robert met and fell in love with a young Rutherford County nurse (Rebecca Aylene Yelton) and they were married April 30, 1949. Robert worked briefly at Champion Papers where he joined the Millwright Apprentice program. He then joined the Dayton Rubber Company in Waynesville where he worked until his retirement. While at Dayco, Robert worked as a millwright and served as President of the Rubber Workers Union at the plant (3 terms). He was a life-long member of the Rockwood United Methodist Church. Much of the rock and the timber used in construction of the church came from the family farm. Robert served for many years as the Sunday School Superintendent for the congregation. Robert & Aylene devoted their lives to their children, their many friends, their community and their church. Together they developed one of the largest and best-known registered Angus herds in WNC. They were active in the Haywood County, North Carolina, and American Angus Associations, and after retirement toured the world with those organizations visiting Angus cattle operations. Robert and his sons built an authentic log cabin at the home-site of the original family farmhouse dating to the 1860's. They entertained countless family and friends in their home, on the farm and at their much loved mountain cabin. They were also active in the 464th Battalion Association visiting with life-long friends from Robert's service days. Since 2010, Robert (and Aylene until her passing) lived in the Silver Bluff Retirement Community where they made many new friends and received loving care from the staff. As a father, grandfather, great grandfather, friend and Patriot, Robert will be missed by all who knew and loved him. May he rest in peace united once again with his beloved Aylene. He is survived by three children and their spouses, James Wray and Kathleen Hipps, of Leawood, Kansas, Rebecca Jane and William Brown, of Greeneville, Tennessee, and Thomas Robert and Sandy Hipps, of Canton; six grandchildren, Rachel and Daniel Elliott and Patrick Brown, of Knoxville, Tennessee, Robert Mathew Hipps of Washington, DC, Emily Kathleen Hipps of Saint Paul, Minnesota, Kaylin and Andrew Hipps, both of Canton; and one great-granddaughter, Allison Rebecca Elliott of Knoxville. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 26, 2016 in the Canton Chapel of Wells Funeral Home with the Reverend Eric Hill officiating. Inurnment will follow at Crawford/Ray Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 12:30 until 1:45 p.m. prior to the service Pallbearers: Andrew Hipps, Robert Matthew Hipps, Patrick Brown, Daniel Elliott Honorary pallbearers will be members of the North Carolina Cattleman's Association. In lieu of flowers, memorial may be made to Rockwood United Methodist Church, 288 Crabtree Mountain Road, Canton, NC 28716

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