Edward F. Whipps

Edward F. Whipps was born December 17, 1936, to Rusk H. Whipps and Lucille G. Whipps. Ed was raised in Upper Arlington with his younger sisters Carolyn and Mary Lou. Ed lived on Collingswood Road his entire childhood where he enjoyed playing backyard games with his friend Jack Nicklaus, the eventual golf legend. Ed graduated from Upper Arlington High School in 1954 where he was the manager of both the Football and Basketball teams and was also a member of the UA Tennis team. During his senior year, Ed was selected to play the lead role in Brigadoon, the high school’s first staging of a Broadway play. Ed reprised the same role in Brigadoon during his Junior year of college.

Ed attended Ohio Wesleyan University, graduating in 1958 with a Bachelor of Arts in business, economics with a minor in psychology. Ed was a member of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity where he formed many lifelong friendships. While living in the fraternity house he became acquainted with Branch Rickey, also an Ohio Wesleyan graduate, former OWU head football coach & OWU athletic director before becoming the General Manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers. Years later, Branch Rickey introduced Ed to Jackie Robinson, who was the first to break the color barrier in major league baseball and professional sports.

In 1958, Ed married his college sweetheart Willa Huot of Pittsburgh, PA. Ed and Willa had four children, Scott (Mary), Rusk (Melissa), Sylvia (Fred) and Rudy. Over the years his family grew to include eight more grandchildren, Adele (Eric), Sarah, Tayler (Greg), Mattie, J.R., Margot, Erika, and Katrina. In 1998 Ed married Marty Pero and they enjoyed many years living in Pataskala with Marty’s son, Rob. Ed thoroughly enjoyed spending the holidays with his children and grandchildren, especially at Christmas for the massive family gift exchange and Christmas dinner. Christmas was Ed’s favorite day of the year.

Ed attended law school at The Ohio State University, graduating in 1961. His law school classmates and close friends included Mike Moritz, US Senator George Voinovich, and Mike Colley who served as the chairman of the Ohio Republican party.

In 1961 Ed joined the practice of George, Greek, King, McMahan & McConnaughey becoming a full partner in 1964. Ed was a civil litigator with the firm through the merger with Thompson, Hine, and Flory. In 1993 Ed founded and was the Principle and Partner of his own law firm, Edward F. Whipps and Associates in 1993, specializing in domestic law.

Ed enjoyed an extensive TV career hosting a number to local cable TV shows including UA Today, Upper Arlington Plain Talk, Lawyers on Call, The Ohio Wesleyan Experience, and Bridging Disabilities.

Ed served in many leadership positions in his community. Founder and Trustee of Creative Living in Columbus providing independent living for people living with physical disabilities. Served on the Upper Arlington Board of Education from 1974 to 1980. In 1994, Ed was appointed to the Board of Psychology State of Ohio, serving as President in 2002-2002. Board of Directors Ohio Wesleyan University Alumni Association, Vice President Highlands Golf Club, Trustee of Upper Arlington Area Chamber of Commerce, National Vice Present Delta Tau Delta, member of Columbus Athletic Club, National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame, Columbus Touchdown Club, Downtown Quarterback Club, Ohio State Faculty Club, and Ohio State University Golf Club.

His hobbies included scuba diving, underwater photography, and attending sporting events. He was a lifelong fan and season ticket holder of the Cincinnati Reds and the Ohio State Buckeyes football and basketball teams. He enjoyed attending many World Series, National Championships football games and Final Four games. One of Ed’s proudest achievements was his 75 year unbroken streak of attending every Ohio State vs Michigan football game both home and away. Ed, Eddie, Dad, and Grandfather will be dearly missed by his friends and family.

A Memorial Service will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 5, 2026 at SCHOEDINGER NORTHWEST, 1740 Zollinger Road, Upper Arlington, Ohio 43221 with a Celebration of Life Reception to follow from 5:00-7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers a memorial contribution can be made to Creative Living at www.creative-living.org.

Please visit www.schoedinger.com to share memories and condolences.