Ralph and Roberta Pippitt never dreamed a vacation to Zimbabwe in 1995 would result in years of work, thousands of dollars raised and spent, and yearly trips back to Zimbabwe to help poor villagers.
Presbyterians all over the metro area have been involved in the project, which has brought food, clothes, clean drinking water, furniture and medical care to hundreds in the southern African nation.
Ralph Pippitt died at his home near Parker on May 5, one month after learning he had a brain tumor. He was 81.
The couple had planned another trip to Zimbabwe in September. They often stayed six months at a time.
“There was no way to go once and not go back” after seeing the needs of the people, said Roberta Pippitt.
On their second trip in 1997, they saw goats and chickens living in a village school, there were no school supplies and the children were writing lessons in the sand. The roof was so “dilapidated” that the Pippitts built a tent inside the building for shelter until roof repairs were finished, Roberta Pippitt said.
“He was a visionary,” said Julia Henderson of Westminster, moderator of the Denver Presbytery.
The Pippitts created the Renewed Hope Charity Foundation, said Deanna Heyn of Castle Pines.
Their efforts are focused on orphans, many of whom lost their parents to AIDS and many of whom have AIDS or HIV themselves. So far, the Coloradans (and some members of churches in other states) have dug wells; planted fruit and nut trees, as well as vegetable gardens; repaired schools and other buildings; built a medical clinic; and provided clothing. They feed hundreds of children each day. But what is done for the children helps their family members also, said Heyn. To date, the churches have given $600,000 in cash, on top of volunteer work and the donation of goods.
The family foundation has spent several hundred thousand dollars, Roberta Pippitt said.
Heyn said she specifically joined New Hope Church in Castle Rock because of its “passion” about helping Zimbabwe.
She said Ralph Pippitt “climbed under trucks, up ladders. He could fix anything. He was the brains behind most every project.”
Pippitt’s first thought when he was diagnosed with the tumor was, “What will happen to the orphans?” she said.
Ralph Roy Pippitt was born in Galesburg, Ill., on Sept. 10, 1929, and attended Bradley University in Peoria and the University of Illinois. He was a mechanical engineer.
He married Roberta Edwards on July 25, 1954.
In addition to his wife, Pippitt is survived by two sons, Bryan Pippitt, who lives near Parker, and Bryce Pippitt of Houston; and five grandchildren.
