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Brother Ripp was appointed International Vice President in April 1976. He headed the former IBEW Tenth District for 11 years, during the time when that vice presidential district covered Railroad Branch matters and was based in Rosemont, Illinois. He retired in July 1987 having served the IBEW for nearly 40 years. (In 1998 the former Tenth District, as it was then configured, became the Railroad Department at the International Office, and the former Twelfth District became the present Tenth District, which covers four Southeast U.S. states.)

A native of Brooklyn, New York, Brother Ripp began his union career in 1948 with his initiation into IBEW Local 589, Jamaica, New York. He held the offices of local union president and Executive Board chairman. In addition, he served as general chairman of the Long Island Railroad, System Federation 156 secretary-treasurer and vice president of the General Chairman Association.

Brother Ripp was a strong advocate for Railroad Branch union members, particularly in the legislative arena. He led the battle to retain the Railroad Retirement System as we know it, with frequent testimony and appearances before Congress. In 1979 he assumed the presidency of the AFL-CIOs former Railway Employees Department, and he served as chairman of the Railway Labor Act Committee. He assisted national negotiations and testified before Congress on railway appropriations, the Railway Mediation Board and the Railway Adjustment Board.

Earlier in his career, he served as an IBEW International Representative for nearly 17 years. Appointed to that post in 1959, he was assigned to the then-Tenth District staff servicing railroad local unions and system councils.

Brother Ripp served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was a member of the Holy Name Society and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. A resident of Palatine, Illinois, he was a 54-year IBEW member at the time of his death.

The IBEW extends its sincere condolences to Brother Ripps wife, Betty, to their family and many friends.

Deceased

Charles W. Walker

With sadness the IBEW announces the death of former Director of IBEW Legislative Activities Charles W. Walker on September 29, 2002, at the age of 84.

Brother Walker, who served as an assistant to then-International Secretary Ralph A. Leigon, retired in 1983.

In January 1972 Brother Walker was appointed International Representative by then-International President Charles H. Pillard and assigned to the International staff in Washington, D.C. He assisted former International Secretary Joseph D. Keenan in IBEW/ COPE matters.

Brother Walker began his IBEW career in 1939 with his initiation into Local 18, Los Angeles, California.

He transferred to Local 11, Los Angeles, in 1946 after serving three years as a pilot in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. Very active in the affairs of Local 11, he served on numerous committees and was appointed local union president in 1961. He served Local 11 as business manager/financial secretary from 1966-70. In addition to his service at the local union level, Brother Walker was chairman of the Los Angeles County COPE committee and secretary-treasurer of the California State Association of Electrical Workers.

Born September 18, 1918, in Denver, Colorado, Brother Walker was a 62-year IBEW member who served the union with great dedication and distinction. He was a member of the American Legion, the Elks and the Lions Club.

The IBEW extends sincere sympathy to Brother Walkers wife, Dorothy, their family and friends.

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