Richard Bruce Lipka

A memorial service for Rick Lipka will be at 11:00a.m., Monday, September 21, 2013 at New Life Wesleyan Church with Pastor Billy Wilson officiating. Richard Bruce "Rick" Lipka, age 61, passed away at his home in Gillette October 4, 2013. He was born July 29, 1952 to John O. and Claire F. (Heistand) Lipka in Normandy, Missouri. Rick began his professional law enforcement career in 1973 as a police officer in St. Louis, Missouri. After several years, he moved west and worked for the Vail, CO Police Dept and the Eagle County, CO Sheriff's Office. Rick married Virginia Gates Blackburn in Eagle County, Colorado in 1982 and is the beloved father of their three children. Divorced in 1996, Rick never remarried. In 1983 he began work for the City of Gillette, WY Police Department as a patrol officer and then as a detective until 1999 when he moved to Laramie to enter law school. After earning his law degree in 2002, Rick served as law clerk to the Honorable Judges Dan R. Price and John R. Perry in Wyoming's 6th Judicial District. In September 2003 he was licensed to practice law in Wyoming and subsequently opened his own law practice in Gillette, where he continued working until his death. Rick is survived by his daughter Mandi Frances Lipka of Salt Lake City, UT; son Jason Richard Lipka of Green River, WY; daughter Erin Marie Lipka of Rock Springs, WY; stepdaughter Jennifer Blackburn Melvin of Rock Springs, WY; brothers Jack and Chuck Lipka of Missouri and Michael Lipka of Palm Harbor, Florida. He was preceded in death by his parents and by his stepson Christopher Michael Blackburn. In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established in Rick's name memorials and condolences can be sent to Walker Funeral Home 410 Medical Arts Court Gillette WY 82716. Condolences may also be sent via our website at www.walkerfuneralgillette.comFuneral Home:Walker Funeral Home410 Medical Arts CourtGillette, WYUS 82716