Clifton Albert Ripperger III

On Wednesday, June 11, 2014, Clif passed away at The Washington Home & Community Hospice in Washington, DC, surrounded by his family. Clif, or Carth, as his family knew him, was born in Roslyn, New York on June 21, 1948. He spent his childhood and adolescence on his Grandparents’ farm in Andes, New York, and in Orlando and Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. He was a 1966 graduate of Lakeview High School, where he was a member of the track and football teams. Clif spent time working on tugboats and served in the U.S. Merchant Marine before enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1969. Although he missed his flight to Ft. Jackson, SC to enter Basic Training, he quickly made up for it and was selected for Officer Candidate School at Ft. Benning, GA. Clif went on to study Greek at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, CA and completed Special Forces Training at Ft. Bragg, NC. He earned his undergraduate degree from Columbus College and graduate degree in International Affairs from American University. Among his Infantry command and staff positions during his more than 25 years of active service were Assistant Professor (Social Sciences Department) at The United States Military Academy in West Point, NY, Executive Officer of the 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry “Wolfhounds” at Schofield Barracks, HI, and Commander of the 2/4 Infantry Battalion, 56th Field Artillery Command (Pershing) in Neu-Ulm, Germany. Clif’s last assignment was in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, where he oversaw Defense Department continuity programs. After his retirement in 1995, he continued supporting similar programs as a contractor for OSD, the Department of the Air Force, and for the last 14 years, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. During that time, he authored many key continuity-related plans, designed major exercises evaluating the Department's continuity readiness, and was considered a continuity expert providing advice during a number of national security events. During 9/11, he advised senior DoD leaders on continuity and evacuation actions and supported key operations in the ensuing weeks and months. Over the years, Clif enjoyed playing guitar, drawing, winning at board games or chess, model trains, model shipbuilding, crossword puzzles, and searching for the perfect Christmas tree. He liked his steak rare and his Budweiser cold. He will be remembered as a generous and loving father, grandfather (Pop Pop), soldier, scholar, mentor, and friend to many. He is survived by his daughter, Kelli Evers and son-in-law, Brian, of Potomac Falls, VA; son, Ryan Ripperger and daughter-in-law, Rhonda, of Cape Canaveral, FL; former spouse, Patti Ripperger of Potomac Falls, Virginia; grandsons, Heath and Sean Evers; brothers, Marc Ripperger of Ashburn, Virginia and Roger Ripperger of Phoenix, Arizona; sister, Robin Montanez of Charlotte, North Carolina; beloved friend, Jennifer Yezak of Arlington, Virginia; and Woodley the cat. Family and friends will gather on Sunday, June 22, 2014 at Murphy’s Funeral Home, 4510 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, Virginia 22203 for a period of visitation from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. Donations in Clif’s memory may be made to The Washington Home & Community Hospices, 3720 Upton Street, NW, Washington, DC 20016.