John "Jack" Cipperly

I met at Jack Cipperly on a summer day in 1982 somewhere on Bascom Hill, where I guess his office was. I was looking up information on medical schools in the US. Suddenly this kind gentleman came out and asked me what I was up to and we got talking. He introduced himself as Jack Cipperly, a Dean of Students. I went into his office and he brought up my transcripts and we talked about the languages I’d taken and music class and what the rush was to rush off to medical school. It was a most amazing day. We spent three hours together and after all the discussions, he really ended up changing the direction of my life. The next year I worked to get take more French classes, so I would have enough to apply to the UW junior year abroad program to France for the following year. And there I was in fall 1984 in Aix-en-Provence, France for a year thanks to Jack Cipperly. And everything that happened after that was due to having gone to France and living a year in Europe and traveling around. I didn’t come back to go straight into medical school. I had other horizons open to me. I met my husband to be and we opened a European-style coffeehouse in downtown Madison. We traveled to Europe a few times together to visit his family there. I have thought of Jack many times since then as I really appreciated him very much. And I’m so sorry to learn of his passing.

So sorry I missed the time, but my years working with him in South Hall were among the most fruitful for me in terms of LEARNING. What a good soul! Love you, Jack.

Condolences from Gordy Mueller and Bob Breen, Friends of Jack from Frankenberger dorm.

I remember Jack's kind and loving voice. He always had such a way of making. You feel OK. I do remember when we needed a favor or two he would say, "what's the use of knowing a Dean if he can't do anything for you?" I also remember him telling me what love felt like. He told me that it was when you felt comfortable in a room, with your loved one. No words needed to be spoken. Just a feeling of contentment. Jack will be remembered by our entire family. He did have such a big heart! Meg Ouellette Cates

In honor of Jack