Robert Ward Tiplin Jr.

Robert Ward Tiplin, Jr, known as “Rob”, a husband, father, papa, brother, brother-in-law and friend to many, passed away on March 15, 2022, due to an unexpected intracranial hemorrhage. He spent 18 days in the Critical Care Unit at Overlake Hospital surrounded by his family. He was 75 years old.

Rob was born on September 17, 1946 in Bellingham, Washington to Joyce and Robert Tiplin. He attended Nooksack Valley High School in Everson, Washington, where he was Student Body President. Also, in high school, Rob attained the rank of Eagle Scout. After high school graduation in 1964, Rob enrolled at Washington State University where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering. He not only earned his diploma at WSU but he met his future wife, Deanna, on campus. And, so began a lifelong love affair with both Deanna and the WSU Cougars, where he was a Platinum Life Member of the WSU Alumni Association. They became engaged on March 15th, the same day that Rob died 54 years later. They were married on August 17, 1968.

Rob began his engineering career in Dallas, Texas where he worked for Texas Instruments. After 3 years of Texas hospitality, it became apparent that the Washingtonians missed the beauty of the Pacific Northwest and their families. Thus began Rob’s career in voice and data telecommunications spanning 43 years with Pacific Northwest Bell/U S WEST/QWEST/CenturyLink. He obtained his Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification in 2003. Over the years, Rob volunteered his time to various organizations. Early on, he was a Junior Achievement Advisor, Jaycees President of the Newport Hills Chapter, and “Choices” presenter to area high school students. He was very active in the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) holding significant leadership roles including Chairman of the International Conference on Communications ICC87, Chairman of the Seattle Section, Board Member of the Communications Society Conference and Northcon Board of Directors member for 9 years. In 2014, Rob retired and began a new chapter of great adventures and happy moments.

Rob’s family was everything to him. He was deeply engaged in the interests, hopes and dreams of his children and grandchildren. He was a devoted, steadfast, and fierce advocate for those he loved. He never missed a dance recital, scouting event, school program, musical concert, soccer game, drill team competition, baseball game and any sporting event (high school and college) where his daughter was a cheerleader. He was truly a man of faith and he lived by the values of honesty and integrity. To be loved by Rob was to be truly blessed.

Rob is survived by his wife of 53 years, Deanna, his children Derek Tiplin (Michelle) of Sammamish and Tiffany Brandvold (Mark) of Snohomish, his grandsons Dominic and Antonio Tiplin and his granddaughters Sidney and Wynter Brandvold, his sister Julie Sleeth (Bill) of Arizona, his brother Mark Tiplin Sr. (Sung Hee) of California, and many adored cousins, nieces, and nephews.

As Rob strongly felt that a great education opened doors to unlimited opportunities, we welcome donations to either of Rob’s favorite schools where his family benefitted from great educations:

Eastside Catholic

https://bit.ly/RobTiplinEC

There is an “In memory of” section where the donor can write “Robert Tiplin”

WSU Spirit (Crimson) Squad

https://bit.ly/RobTiplinWSU

There is an “Add Comment” section where the donor can write “In Memory of Robert Tiplin”