ZIPSE, LeRoy William 1916-1944

ZIPSE, OHM

Posted By: Deb Van Sant (email)
Date: 11/30/2008 at 17:33:49

LeRoy Zipse Dies When Aeroplane Crashes, Burned

It was a great shock to parents, brother, other relatives and a large circle of friends, when news came Friday afternoon, July 13, that LeRoy Zipse died in his own plane crash four miles east and a half mile south of New Hampton by the roadside. His plane hit the road embankment and seemed almost immediately to burst into flames.

He may have died from the crash and he may never have known of the flames that enveloped his body, burning his clothes off. Farmer friends close by hurried to his rescue but could do nothing. The New Hampton fire truck rushed to the scene and extinguished the flames but all parts of the plane that would burn were destroyed. The fire was quickly extinguished. He body was so pinned in the steel structure of the frame it could not be removed until other help came from town with machinery and instruments to cut the wires and bars so the body could be taken out.

Here is shown a picture of the wrecked plane and friends removing the body wrapped in white cloth, which Howard David and others had placed over it and around it while awaiting other help to come and extricate it.

Virgil Schwickerath was but a few rods away when the plane hit the road embankment and when he had rushed down the embankment around to the cab of the plane the engine seemed to explode. Albert Dickman, who lives but a quarter mile south saw the accident and also rushed to the scene but nothing could be done by then.

LeRoy Wm Zipse, age 27 years, 6 months and 19 days died at 3:10 Thursday, July 13, 1944 near New Hampton in an accident in his own aeroplane.

He was alone in the plane and had been made a pilot only a few weeks ago. He was a member of the Civil Air Patrol.

He was a son of Edward Zipse and Mina Zipse, nee Ohm, and was born near Lawler, November 24, 1916. Except for eight months when employed in California he has always made his home with his parents, first on the farm and then in New Hampton. He received his schooling in the rural schools of Chickasaw County and in the Fredericksburg High School. Since living in town he has been employed as a salesman of automobiles, as assistant to his father in the gas and oil station, and as owner and operator of Zip's Tavern.

LeRoy Zipse was active in business and public affairs, was a fine fellow and popular with his acquantances. All of these are sorry over his sudden and tragic death and mourn him.

Besides his father and mother, he leaves one brother, Ellsworth of Waterloo, one niece and one nephew and many other relatives and friends.

The funeral was held from the Perry Chapel Saturday afternoon and 2:30 o'clock. The services were conducted by Reverend Theo Fritschel, pastor of St Paul's Lutheran Church. Burial was in Graceland Cemetery.

His pallbearers were Robert Ladwig and Harry Bierman of Fredericksburg, Oliver Cochran, Gerald Denner, Gaylus Pitts and Virgil Schwickerath of New Hampton.

At the chapel services Naomi Drape and Arthur Boettcher sang "What a Friend We Have In Jesus" and a request song of his mother "Whispering Hope". They were accompanied by Mrs Chet Pink at the piano.

The Civil Air Patrol of Waterloo with a four plane squadron and Ford Asper as commanding officer, Miles Barrie, Bert Nagel, and Gus Taylor saluted as the cortege left the chapel, flying overhead and dropping flowers at the cemetery.

A vast crowd attended or tried to attend the funeral services. Those from away for the funeral were Mr and Mrs Ellsworth Zipse and children, Mr and Mrs Arthur Zipse of Waterloo and Mr and Mrs Barry of Cedar Falls.