Monday, November 22, 2021
Hello Karen/Bobby; Bob Shiptenko here.
About 3 or 4 times a week I walk and visit with family and friends at the Calvary Cemetery. I start at the bottom (near the Old Chapel), where I park and say hi to my grandparents (and family). Then I walk the big hill up to your Dad to say hi and always ask him how your Mom is doing. Then last week I noticed that your Mom's date was added. I did a search on her name and found out she literally had just passed.
We don't get the paper anymore, so Helen and I missed it. We are sorry we were not able to visit with you all one last time. From the Obit, looks like your Mom was doing quite well, these past years after my Mom passed in 2011...
Don't know if you knew it, but I have been told that your dad and I were closer than I realized.
Apparently at my Aunt Dorthey's wedding (must have been 1950) Rita and Nick were in the wedding, so buddy Joe was assigned to watch me (I was two). Well Joe was doing a good job, keeping me hydrated and all, but unbeknown to him he was feeding me "Spiked" punch. And needless to say, I got hammered (and quite sick I was told), therefore he and I are old drinking buddies. Just one of the many fond memories of the Shiptenko/Korchak reign...
They both will be missed. I can hear your Dad's distinctive laugh every time I visit him. He and your Mom were good people and great friends...
You two take care
Bob
