Shannon Carl Whipp DVM, PhD. (1931-2017)

WHIPP, SIMMONS, PEDEN, CARLSON, BILADEAU, HANKS, COOPER, DANIELS, ARMS, SCARBOROUGH, GREFSRUD

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 6/3/2017 at 17:07:51

Obituary from Iowa Cremation:

Shannon Carl Whipp DVM, PhD. passed away peacefully in Decatur County Hospital on May 3, 2017, in Leon, Iowa at the age of 86. “I have had many, many friends, for which I am very thankful.”

Shannon was born on May 3, 1931, with his twin brother Leslie T Whipp in Jacksonville, Florida to Shannon L Whipp and Margaret E Simmons. Shannon graduated from Gary High School in Gary, South Dakota in 1949. In 1952 he went to work at Artillery Shell Ranch as a ranch hand. He was drafted (Korean War) in 1953 to the Army where he was a Sergeant attached to the 519th AAA Battalion as a Range Platoon Sergeant and Radar Mechanic. Honorably Discharged in 1954.

After receiving his BS, DVM and PhD (Physiology) degrees from the University of Minnesota, in 1965, Shannon began working at the National Animal Disease Center, Agricultural Research Services, Ames, IA. He took on more and more responsibility and served in the position of Laboratory Chief, Physiopathology Research, starting in 1977 until becoming Research Leader, Physiopathology Research Unit from 1984 – 1994 when he retired.

Shannon talked with Tom O’Donnell for an article in the Tri-County Times, May 24, 1979, about his work at the Lab. He commented, “I can’t imagine a job more satisfying for me.” It was noted that “he had lived all his life, except nine years spent at the University of Minnesota getting his degrees, on a farm. Having grown up in South Dakota with the livestock production industry, he decided that was the business for him“ Shannon noted, “I couldn’t see any practical way to get into the ranching area, so I decided that this was probably the best way to get into it.”

Speaking about the work of the lab, he said, “This lab exists for one reason, and that is research. We have only one product. We don’t teach, we don’t fix animals. We develop new techniques and new vaccines. Our only product is what we publish.” During his career, Shannon had over 70 research publications.

Although he noted that he found private veterinary practice a very attractive alternative, and one that he had considered, he also stated, “I would be reluctant to get far away from veterinary research. It’s so fascinating to be able to ask questions about so many things.”

Shannon married Ruth Avis (Peden) Whipp in June 1956. They had 3 children: Margaret Colleen (Meg) Whipp, Shannon Clay (Shad) Whipp, Sheridan Russell Whipp, and adopted 2 children: R Reed Whipp, Sheldon Ward (Boone) Whipp. They were also foster parents to many children over the years.

Shannon married Terry Lynn (Carlson) Whipp on November 30, 2007. They spent the last 10 years gardening, fishing, golfing, and playing cards.

Shannon was a farmer, a cowboy, a soldier, a waiter, a dishwasher, a student, a laboratory technician, a veterinarian, a scientist, a golfer, a fisherman, a hunter, a gardener and spent his retirement playing woodsman. He hosted the “Breakfast in the Woods” spring and fall for many years having as many as 85 attendees. He was an active and dedicated member of the National Tree Farm System, Leon Golf & Country Club and Member of Arbor Day Foundation. Shannon established the Dr. Shannon Whipp Scholarship by Palestine 4-H for Ballard Dollars for Scholars, Endowment Fund Scholarships.

Shannon is survived by his wife, Terry; children Meg, Shad, Sheridan, Reed, and Boone Whipp; step children Kammie Friese and Shelly Biladeau; grandchildren Michelle (Whipp) Hanks, Clay Whipp, Cheyenne Whipp, Wyatt Whipp, Kailyn Whipp; great-granddaughter Calliope Shannon Hanks; siblings, Helen (Whipp) Cooper, Walter Whipp, Linda (Arms) Daniels, Robert F Arms, former wife, Ruth Whipp. He is preceded in death by parents, Margaret and Shannon Whipp, Russell Arms (Step-Father); siblings, Leslie T Whipp (Twin), Maedean (Whipp) Scarborough; daughter-in-law Jennifer Whipp; grandson, Dalton Whipp; great-granddaughter, Gabrielle Lynn Grefsrud.

A Celebration of Life service is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Sunday June 4, 2017 at the Leon Golf & Country Club, 1204 W 1st St, Leon, IA 50144. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Shannon’s life. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to:
Disabled American Veterans - https://www.dav.org/
Arbor Day Foundation - https://shop.arborday.org/donate-general.aspx

Condolences can be sent to http://www.iowacremation.com/Obituary. The family would like to thank all of the staff at the Community Health Center S Iowa, the Decatur County Hospital and HCI Hospice Care Services of Mt. Ayr for their care. They would also like to thank the Community of Leon for all the support.

http://www.iowacremation.com/Obituary/
 

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