“Dick” Moss Lipton

March 28, 1924 - February 17, 2023

Richard (Dick) Moss Lipton, devoted husband, father, grandfather, greatgrandfather, friend and sports fan, was reunited with June, the love of his life, on February 17th, 2023. Dick was known for many things to many people: a dedicated and involved father, a prisoner of war during World War II, an accomplished tennis player and coach, a news and sports junkie, a jokester and a kind man who lived his 98 years on this Earth with integrity. Above all, he was the best of the best: a man who loved his country, all Bay Area sports teams, his family, and liked nothing better than an engaging conversation. His children, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren are all so proud he was theirs.

Dick was born in San Francisco, brought up by his loving mother and grandparents, attending Lowell High School. Upon graduating, he fulfilled his childhood dream and attended UC Berkeley. During his freshman year at Cal, he joined the Army Air Corps to fight in World War II. From there, Dick bounced between training and courses in Nebraska, Montana, California and Nevada, before settling in at Kirtland Field in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It was there, at a Sadie Hawkins Dance, a high school senior named June asked Dick to dance. His quick-witted response, which would change his life, was “what have I got to lose?” They quickly fell in love.

Several months later, Dick left for Europe to fight in the war as a bombardier. While flying on a mission to Munich, Dick’s B-24 was shot down, and he parachuted to safety on the top of the Austrian Alps, spending the next five months in several Nazi POW camps. In April of 1945, Patton’s army liberated his POW camp, and upon his return to the States, Dick immediately called up June and asked if she still wanted to get married. She said yes, so Dick traveled to New Mexico, and the couple was married on June 11, 1945, the wedding date of June’s parents. The couple moved to San Francisco, then to San Mateo, Palo Alto, and finally to San Jose in 1963.

Dick’s work was in sales, and he spent the last 20 years of his work-life as a sales manager for Oakland Toy Company. He was a “good man”: honest, hardworking, and even though he talked about the costs of things (he was a depressionera kid), he was NEVER attracted to money. Dick had multiple chances to get higher paying jobs, all of which involved travel, which meant he would be away from his family. He declined them all.

Dick’s real love was family, sports, and people. Dick loved his kids, and he would always ask them questions to make them think. Whether it was going to the CAL Camp for summer fun in Pinecrest or going to the kids’ or grandkids’ sporting events, Dick always was engaged with his family. Dick was a passionate Bay Area sports fan, never missing a 49ers, Warriors and Giants game, and often had ideas for the coaches of all of his beloved teams! Dick also loved people. He was kind to all and always engaged people in conversation, often with a joke to share.

Dick also hated war. As he told his family when sharing his World War II story: “From all of these experiences I have learned that war is the most ridiculous way to solve any problems and I hope and pray that none of my children, grandchildren or beyond ever have to be in a war. Our country’s leaders have never learned that wars never solve problems…they only create problems.”

Dick was predeceased by June, his loving wife of 65 years. He is survived by his son and daughter in-law Douglas and Kelly Lipton of Mission Viejo, his son Bruce Lipton and Vicki McAdams of Anaheim Hills, his daughter and son-in law Kathleen and Michael Brown of San Jose, his son and daughterin-law Scott and Diane Myers-Lipton of San Jose, and his seven grandchildren, Sarah Harris, Matt Lipton, Ashley Levine, Alexandra Martin, Jenna Brown, Josiah Myers-Lipton, and Gabriela Myers-Lipton, along with 10 great-grandchildren, and one on the way. In lieu of flowers, spread kindness and a joke today…and root for the Warriors. May his memory always be a blessing.

A private burial will be held and a Celebration of Life will take place at a date to be determined. Please check the Darling and Fischer Website for updates.