Obituary: Walter G. Phippen

Walter G. Phippen, at 71

Walter G. Phippen was born on January 8, 1953 in Salem, to Robert and Anne Phippen. He died on March 15, 2024 after a brief illness.

A passionate ocean lover, Mr. Phippen was a lifelong resident of Hull. He loved seeing it every day from his home, he loved exploring it and sailing it with his many seafaring friends. Mr. Phippen was a storyteller who enjoyed regaling his listeners with his memories of the powerful storms that made their way to the shores of Hull. As a call firefighter for many years, he served his town and neighbors, working through the Blizzard of ’78 and other notable storms.

Serving and helping others was in his nature. Mr. Phippen had a kind word about everyone and made friends with town employees, local merchants, and all his neighbors.

Everyone knew him and he was a friend to all. Watchful and protective over his town and shoreline, Mr. Phippen was known by first name by the keepers of Boston Light, as he would call and alert them if the light went out.

Mr. Phippen was proud to serve in the armed forces. He was a combat veteran of Desert Storm and was mobilized with the 1058th Transportation Company countless times in his career. He was a 28-year member of the 1058th and the Massachusetts National Guard.

Mr. Phippen had an adventurous spirit and, along with his wife, Martha, traveled around the world, enjoying the sights and sounds of faraway places like South Africa and Machu Picchu. However, when they were not traveling, Walter devotedly came to work with Martha at her exotic pet shop whenever he could for more than 20 years. In addition to Martha, his wife of 40 years, he leaves behind David (Wendy) Phippen of Bothell, WA, Roberta (Jeb) Collier of New Bern, N.C., and Susan (Sandy) Buxbaum of Towson, MD, and Barbara Cutler (Phillip) of Seattle, WA.