Alverda P. Klippel

Born in Dayton, Ohio, on February 17, 1938, she was the eldest of three daughters of Mabel Poland Phillips and Edwin Ardrey Phillips (both deceased). As an accomplished pianist, Alverda’s mother, Mabel (a piano instructor and concert pianist), made music and the arts an integral part of family life; Alverda began playing piano at age three. By the age of five, she was taking formal lessons. At age ten, after a rigorous audition, she was accepted to study under Madame Olga Conus, the highly acclaimed Russian pianist and instructor at the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music. They sustained a 28-year relationship filled with friendship, mentorship, and intense piano study. Like both her mother and her mentor, Alverda became a piano instructor, influencing countless students through the years.

Alverda married her Fairmont High School sweetheart (Class of 1956), R. Eugene “Gene” Klippel, in 1958. They shared 66 years of marriage, supporting one another’s talents and academic pursuits. It was a true love story as they were always each other’s greatest ally and confidant. Gene’s career brought storied moves across the Midwest and Florida. Through it all, Alverda had a profound effect on everyone she met. Her kindness, respect, appreciation, and gratitude toward others were paramount and a hallmark of her personality and how she lived her life. A firm believer in hard work and in supporting friends and family, Alverda was known for her gracious hospitality, opening her home and life to others with love and generosity. She remained involved in local musical, artistic, and educational endeavors. More recently, she served in the PEO Sisterhood chapter in Evansville, Indiana, and later in Sarasota, Florida.

Alverda leaves behind a legacy of deep friendships, most notably her 50+ year friendship with her best friend, Donna Anderson, who stood by her side through every milestone.

She is survived by her sister, Judith Hopf, of Santa Barbara, California; son, David Klippel, of Tampa, Florida; her daughter, Lesley Klippel Morter (Dan) of Seminole, Florida; her grandchildren, Cory Klippel (Katherine), of Tampa, Florida, Andrea Danilowicz (Pat) of Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, and Allen Morter of Lakeland, Florida; six great-grandchildren; and nieces Melissa Hopf and Liz Hopf of California.

Alverda was preceded in death by her beloved husband and life partner, Gene; her youngest sister, Elizabeth “Liz” Phillips; and her nephew, Chris Werner, both of Dayton, Ohio.

The family will hold a private ceremony at Memorial Gardens, Dayton, Ohio; date to be determined.

For those wishing to make a gesture of remembrance, please consider contributing to the Dr. Robert and Alverda Klippel Scholarship Fund at Michigan Technological University. give.mtu.edu/project/42961/donate Select fund designation: “OTHER.” In the Please designate gift below* field, please enter “fund # 5223.” Select “in memory of” to notify the family of your donation.

Or you may make a donation in Alverda’s memory to the Dayton Music Club’s Scholarship Fund by using this link: https://daytonmusicclub.org/donate-to-the-dmc/

The family would also like to extend their deepest heartfelt gratitude to Angela Mackey and the other caregivers at Southern Comfort Home Care, as well as Empath Hospice of Pinellas County. Your unwavering compassion will always be fondly remembered.

“Look for the silver lining whenever grey clouds begin to come. Remember, somewhere the sun is shining, and it is shining for you and me, and everyone. A heart full of joy and gladness will always banish sadness and strife, so always look for the silver lining and try to find the sunny side of life. “