Bert C. Rypkema, Volunteer Firefighter, Advocate For The Deaf, Dies At 45

Courtesy of Riggs Funeral Home:


Bert C. Rypkema, age 45, of Waretown passed away on Tuesday, July 22, 2014 after bravely fighting his illness to the end.

Bert was born in Lakewood and currently resided in Waretown for the last 22 years. He graduated with an Associate Degree from Camden County College and worked for 21 years as an operator for Ocean Township Utilities in Waretown.
Bert graduated from Marie H. Katzenbach School for Deaf, West Trenton in 1988 and traveled throughout the state training deaf and hearing students in Fire Safety and Protection. Bert devoted 21 years to the Waretown Volunteer Fire Department where he became a lifetime member and Chief Engineer.

He also devoted his time to the Waretown Volunteer First Aid for 4 years. Bert was a strong leader, friend and brother to the deaf community all of his life and was a member of the Waretown United Methodist Church. 

Surviving Bert is his loving wife of 9 years, Michelle L. Rypkema (nee Sanders), His mother Cynthia Walker of Waretown, his father and his wife Norbert Rypkema and Ruth of Mt. Laurel, siblings Jo Ann Schon and her husband, Donald of Waretown and Andrea Rypkema of Las Vegas. He will be missed by his godson and nephew, James Roe, formerly of Waretown and his devoted cats, Carly and Cutie. 

A viewing will be held on Thursday July 24, 2014 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., with a Fireman's Service at 6 p.m., and from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday at the Riggs Funeral Home, 130 Route 9 North in  Forked River., A funeral service will be at 4 p.m. United Methodist Church, 27 Bryant Road, Waretown. Cremation will be private.
In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Waretown Volunteer Fire Company, P.O. Box 517, Waretown, NJ 08758, in his memory.
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