Michael Tipa

Michael Tipa, LTC, USA (ret) of Colonial Heights, VA; former longtime resident of Alexandria, retired Director of International Competitions for the NRA, retired Chairman of the Technical Committee for the ISU (now ISSF), a member of the Grand Lodge of Georgia and proud lifelong Mason, passed away Monday, June 11, 2012. Born near Detroit, MI, November 19, 1921, Mr. Tipa left the family farm at the age of 19 and began an illustrious 25 year career with the U.S. Army. A veteran of WWII and many international assignments, he retired to northern VA in 1964 and began a second career in international sports. As Director of Competition for the NRA for the next 20 years, Mr. Tipa oversaw the development of both the U.S. Shooting Team and ranges, and in the process became one of the world's foremost authorities on the shooting sport, including major contributions to the Summer Olympics dating back to Tokyo 1964. Among his many awards and accolades, Mr. Tipa includes an NCAA trophy which bears his name, international recognition for his work on the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics and the Blue Cross, the highest award bestowed on an individual by the International Sport Shooting Federation. Mr. Tipa is survived by his wife of 68 years, Helen; his son, Michael Dean (Monika) Tipa; daughters Elena (Jerry) Blanks and Helene Morrison; six grandsons, Kevin and Steven Tipa, Todd (Keri) and Michael (Kelli) Blanks, David and Andrew Morrison; four great-grandchildren: Joshua, Ashley, Kaitlyn, and Mikey Blanks. The number of friends and family who have passed before and those who survive would fill an encyclopedia. Your work is done. Rest in peace, Dad. Special thanks to the caring and supportive staff at the Colonial Heights Health Care Center. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Fisher House Foundation, Inc.111 Rockville Pike, Suite 420 Rockville, MD 20850-5168. A graveside ceremony will be held at the Virginia Veterans Cemetery at Amelia at a later date. Arrangements by the Colonial Heights Chapel of the E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes & Crematory, 2033 Boulevard.