Frank Rippel

Our family would like to announce the passing of our beloved husband, dad, grandpa, and GP, Frank Rippel, on October 10, 2025, at the Bulkley Lodge, at the age of 98.

Dad was born in Warsaw, Poland, on February 23, 1927. He immigrated to Canada with his parents, Rudolf and Maria, and four older brothers. The family homesteaded at Loon Lake, Saskatchewan, where four more siblings were born. In 1934 Rudolf suddenly passed away, leaving Maria a widow and the children without a father. The family stayed in Loon Lake until 1943, when they moved to Osoyoos, BC.

Dad worked at various jobs and eventually settled in Prince George. This is where he met the love of his life, Eva Lehoux, a farm girl from Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan, who was working as a nurse in Prince George. They dated briefly (10 months) and were married in Meadow Lake on May 4, 1954.

Dad worked on the pipeline throughout BC and also on the W.A.C. Bennett Dam before venturing into logging. The family moved to Houston in 1973, where Dad eventually started his own logging business. Dad and Mom weren’t ones to sit idle; whether it was a trip or two to Hawaii, Vegas, Reno, or a road trip down the Oregon Coast, they enjoyed life to the fullest. They made a few trips up to Hyder, Alaska, taking some grandkids along as “decoys” when they purchased items that weren’t allowed back over the border—but everyone always made it home safely. They spent many enjoyable summers with their boat, Blue Yonder, on the ocean with friends. Sometimes there were as many as five or six boats all headed out to Bishop Bay or Butedale, tying up for the night before the storytelling began about the big one that got away. We enjoyed many family dinners when they returned home with fresh crab, halibut, and salmon.

They retired and moved to Telkwa in 1993, setting up a trailer on Doug and Lori’s farm and continuing to enjoy life. Wanting something to keep them busy, they began making burl bowls, canes, and walking sticks. They would go north for the summer and, alongside their friends George and Frieda, sell their creations to travellers. Their bowls, canes, and walking sticks can be found all across Canada, in the United States, and even in Europe.

Dad is survived by his loving wife of 71 years, Eva; sons Ron, Les (Ken), Garland (Val); and daughters Bev (Gary) Woodbeck and Lori (Doug) Brook. He is also survived by nine grandchildren: Gaya (Thomas) Robinson, David Rippel, Jason (Noemi) Woodbeck, Robbyn (Sheldon) Emberley, Rob Brook, Randy (Kim) Brook, Brittany (Zach) Davies, Nicole (Tony) Frech, and Jordan Rippel; and by 14 great-grandchildren: Ben and Jillian Rippel, Lucas Woodbeck, Tyler and Riley Emberley, Abby (Syliss) Brook, Mikenna, Eli and Ethan Brook, Oliver and Blair Davies, Celleste and Gerald Frech, and Everett Rippel.

Dad was predeceased by his parents Rudolf (1934) and Maria (1965), along with all of his siblings: John, Karl, Leo, Ed, Liz, Joe, Rose, and Hilda, as well as infant granddaughter Jennifer Rippel.

Many thanks to the staff at the Bulkley Lodge, where Dad had resided since November 2024. Prior to that, Mom and Dad lived at the Meadows Assisted Living Complex in Smithers; we are very grateful to the staff there for their support in helping them stay together. Mom moved to the Bulkley Lodge in January 2025 after a brief separation from Dad. The time apart was difficult for both of them, and once reunited they blossomed.

No service by request.

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