Christopher John Ipson
Christopher John Ipson
Cedar Rapids
Christopher John “Ipper” Ipson (1956-2024), beloved brother, uncle, teammate, and friend. Chris was known as a kind, generous man, a man of few words whose twinkling eyes and grin spoke volumes. Chris loved hockey, fly fishing (earning Copper Country Chapter of Trout Unlimited 1999 volunteer of the year), and of course his golden retrievers.
Chris excelled as a hockey athletic trainer, possessing a quiet passion for helping “the guys” prevent and heal from injuries, and adding equipment manager duties upon joining the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders in 2011. There he earned the St. Luke’s Living the Mission award in 2017-2018. Before recently transitioning to partial retirement and being named Special Ops Director, Chris was honored recently by the RoughRiders at his 2,000th game with the team.
Chris made significant marks in hockey, including Michigan Tech University, the New Jersey Devils, the Montana Magic, the Wichita Wind, and the Fort Worth Texans. As Head Athletic Trainer for the US In-line Hockey Team, he received a gold medal along with the team when they won the 2004 World Championships in Germany.
Professional memberships included the National Athletic Trainers Association and the American College of Sports Medicine and an instructor for the American Heart Association. Chris earned his Bachelor of Science at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and his Master of Arts at Denver University. While at the University of Wisconsin, Chris cherished his time at the Sigma Phi fraternity, where he formed many lifelong friendships.
Chris is predeceased by his parents, Joan, and John Ipson.
He is survived by five siblings, Ronald Ipson, Littleton, Colorado, Linda Tempel, Apple Valley, Minnesota, Eric (Janelle) Ipson, Castle Rock, Colorado, Wesley (Doreen) Ipson, Branchburg, New Jersey, and Ann Ipson, Centennial, Colorado; ten nieces and nephews; and seven great-nieces and -nephews.
Please share your support and memories with Christopher’s family on his Tribute Wall at www.stewartbaxter.com under Obituaries.