Calvin Z. Wipf, 81, died Tuesday, May 1st at his home in Spearfish, SD with his family around him.

He was born January 26, 1931 in Wall, SD to Zach S. Wipf and Aural (Jones) Wipf. He attended 1st and 2nd grade at Wall Elementary. The family moved to Brookings where he finished grade school and attended Brookings High School, graduating in 1949. He graduated from SDSU in Brookings, majoring in chemistry. He married Phyllis Ruth Coles in 1953, and they moved to Lincoln, Nebraska where he graduated from the School of Dentistry at the University of Nebraska. He served as a dentist in the Army Reserve stationed at Fort Benjamin Harrison in Indianapolis, Indiana. He received an honorable discharge from the Army Dental Corps as a Captain. In 1960, he started his dental practice in Fargo, with devotion to his patients over thirty years of practice. In 1990, he moved to Spearfish where he could golf year round, and attained golf scores near his age. He had three holes-in-one on the Spearfish golf course.


Calvin lived a graceful life. He was a man of many talents and quiet passions. He had a great appreciation for nature, and most family vacations were spent camping, backpacking, or canoeing. The Black Hills were especially dear to him. He passed his love for natural beauty on to his children. He enjoyed golf and music--opera in particular. He had an intellectual curiosity. For many years, he played chess competitively, and at the top of his game, he had a Class A rating by the United States Chess Federation. At one time, he was the seventeenth highest ranked player in SD. He read extensively. Some favorites were books of science, books of mathematics and books of philosophy. Open-minded, he always enjoyed a discussion of matters spiritual and philosophical that expanded his own thinking. He was a contemplative man, and what he read and studied, he put into action: in all the deeds of his life, he tried to live as he believed.


Calvin's life was a blessing to everyone who knew him. His patients and staff will remember his kindness and generosity; his friends will recall his sense of humor. In his church, he was a steadfast support. His family will always treasure his unstinting and unconditional love.


He is survived by his wife, Phyllis Wipf of Spearfish. For the nearly 59 years of their marriage, he cherished her love and companionship. He is also survived by two sons, two daughters, one son-in-law, and two daughters-in-law: Gregory and Joyce Wipf, Edmonds, WA; Mary and Mark Zimmerman, Nemo, SD; Carol Wipf, Chatham, NJ; and Mark Wipf and Kristine Hernandez-Wipf, Albuquerque, NM; three grandchildren: Alexander Wipf, Mackenzie Wipf, and Harrison Wipf; sister Carolyn Madsen, Corvallis, OR, and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents.


A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 12 at 3:00 at All Angels Episcopal Church in Spearfish, with Reverend Bunker Hill officiating.


Memorials may be given to Church of All Angels or Hospice of the Northern Hills.