Bruce Whipple

Bruce Whipple

Hampton

Bruce Whipple, 79, of Hampton, passed away Saturday, July 8, 2023, at the Rehabilitation Center of Hampton. Memorial services will be held 6:30 p.m. Monday, July 17, 2023, at the Hampton Church of Christ, 811 Fourth St. NE, Hampton, Iowa. Visitation will be at the church 4 to 6:30 p.m., prior to the service. Counsell Woodley Funeral Home and Cremations of Hampton is caring for Bruce and his family.

Bruce Allen Whipple was born Oct. 11, 1943, at Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the son of William and Frances (Schoelerman) Whipple. He was raised and educated in Keystone, graduating in 1960. He graduated from the University of Iowa School of Pharmacy a few years later. He then went to work at Broadway Pharmacy on the south side of Waterloo.

After two years he moved to Hampton to work at Koerner Pharmacy and within a year partnered with Dave Koerner. He then took over the hospital pharmacy and began contracting with hospitals all over the state to provide pharmacy services and employed many new pharmacists in the process. Driven to improve his professional life, Bruce would meet people at all hours if they needed his special expertise.

Bruce valued family time above all else, he insisted on family dinners every evening and Sunday. He always made sure the whole Whipple family was together on holidays, and he never missed his kids’ sporting events and concerts. Family vacations were usually educational trips to landmark sites.

Bruce was a good athlete and artist. He played saxophone with a band that toured and even had a record made. While with this band he played with several artists that came to Cedar Rapids, including Johnny Cash and Roy Orbison.

Family includes his wife of nearly 57 years, Patty; son, Mark (Jacqueline) Whipple, Hampton; daughter, Erin Whipple, Cedar Rapids; lots of grand-puppies and several cousins, nieces, nephews and extended family.

Bruce was preceded in death by his parents.

Counsell Woodley Funeral Home and Cremations www.counsellwoodley.com.