Tipton, Carl Lee (1933-2022)

TIPTON, GILLILAND, BUDOVICH

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 3/1/2022 at 19:00:33

Carl Lee Tipton, devoted husband, and father of three, passed away on Feb. 25, 2022.

Carl was born on July 26, 1933 in Colo, Iowa to Leonard and Leona (Gilliland) Tipton. He and his seven siblings grew up in small towns and farms in Iowa and Nebraska. He met Tatiana Budovich at the University of Nebraska. They married on June 15, 1957, and raised a daughter, Julia, and two sons, Peter and Andrew. After earning his Ph.D. at the University of Illinois, he joined the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics at Iowa State University in Ames, where he spent his career.

Carl served in the Navy during the Korean War, although he confided that the greatest hazards he faced came during the poker games that followed paydays. His self-deprecating humor brought laughter to those with whom he shared his stories, as he loved to do with his grandchildren Caroline, Beatrice, Madeleine and James. Carl spent his career as a scientist, but he was drawn to anything that engaged the mind, especially literature and music. He and Julia played duets on recorder and piano, and after retirement, Carl exercised his love of singing by taking voice lessons. He was a longtime member of the United Church of Christ, and a stalwart of the bass section of the choir. He and Tatiana traveled extensively, nurturing friendships across several continents.

Carl was preceded in death by his father and mother, his sisters Dorothy and Lorraine, and his brothers Ross, Tom and Delaine. He is survived by his wife Tatiana, his children Julia Rendon (Tom), Peter and Andrew, his grandchildren, his sister Jeanne, and his brother Don.

Memorials may be made to the Congregational United Church of Christ in Ames or the Ames Choral Society or the Ames Animal Shelter.

A memorial service will be held on March 3, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. at Ames United Church of Christ, 217 Sixth Street Ames, IA 50010. With a private family burial to follow.