Published in Pilot-Tribune, July 18, 2006

(veteran)

Bernard T. Pipher, 84, of Tekamah, died Friday, July 14, 2006, at the Tekamah Health and Rehab Center.

A memorial service will be held at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 26, at First Presbyterian Church in Tekamah.

The family will be at his home, 1116 N Street in Tekamah on the evening of Tuesday, July 25, to receive visitors.

Bernard Thomas Pipher was born Dec. 15, 1921, in Tekamah to James Joseph and Anna Emma (Reinert) Pipher. He was born in the house built by his grandparents, on the corner of 12th and M streets, behind the Burt County Courthouse.

He attended school in Tekamah and graduated as valedictorian of his class. He attended the University of Nebraska in Lincoln and graduated with a degree in chemical engineering. He went to work for Phillips Petroleum in Kansas City, where they produced aviation fuel for the War.

On Nov. 6, 1943, he married his high school sweetheart, Phyllis Claire Ellenberger, at the Tekamah Presbyterian Church. The couple made their home in Kansas City until Mr. Pipher entered the U.S. Navy in August of 1944. He taught radio and sonar at the Navy Pier until the end of the war.

After their daughter was born in 1945, the couple decided they did not want to raise their family in the city. Mr. Pipher attended Creighton Law School, and the family moved to Tekamah, into the home built by Mr. Pipher’s father for his parents. Mr. Pipher entered the law firm of Chatt & Ellenberger with his father-in-law, Harvey Ellenberger. The firm later became Ellenberger and Pipher.

He was active in the First Presbyterian Church, where he served as an elder. He spent years on the church session, on various committees, and he and his wife were sponsors of the youth fellowship. He was a Past Master of Tekamah Lodge No. 31, A.F. & A.M.; a past High Priest of Mackey Chapter; belonged to the Jordon Commandery in Blair, and to the Shrine. He was also Past Worthy Patron of Chapter No. 131 of the Order of the Eastern Star. He belonged to the Tekamah Chamber of Commerce. He belonged to Conchologists of America. He was a 50-plus year member of many of the above organizations.

His passions were his family, classical music, crossword puzzles, collecting gem seashells, and John Wayne movies. In the early years of their marriage, the Piphers square danced and they also loved to waltz. The family spent many years camping all across the United States, and also traveled to Canada and Mexico.

Mr. Pipher was also an artist. He loved helping people and was known as quite a storyteller. He continued to take care of his wife until his own health declined, and also continued to see a few clients and dispense legal advice until entering Tekamah Health and Rehab Center the last few weeks of his life.

Mr. Pipher is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Pam and Lee Wilhelm of Blair; son and daughter-in-law, Drs. Jim and Mary Pipher; four grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and 3 step-great-grandchildren; sister and brother-in-law, Shirley and Dale McAllister of Tekamah; four nephews and their families; and many other beloved relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Phyllis; and brother and sister-in-law, Emmett and Jean (Potadle) Pipher.

Memorials are suggested to First Presbyterian Church of Tekamah.