Robert Lippi was diocese’s chief financial officer, 1988-1994
Robert O. Lippi, chief financial officer and treasurer of the Diocese of Honolulu from 1988 to 1994, died peacefully at his home in Kaneohe on July 17. He was 83.
Funeral services are on Aug. 4 at St. Ann Church in Kaneohe. Visitation starts at 9 a.m. followed by Mass at 10. A committal service with full military honors is scheduled for Monday, Aug. 6, at 9:30 a.m. at Punchbowl National Cemetery.
Lippi was born on April 30, 1924 in San Francisco. After graduating from the University of California at Berkeley, he was commissioned in 1944 as an ensign in the U.S. Navy. He served in World War II, fighting in the battle of Okinawa and participating in the invasion of Luzon and the liberation of Manila. At age 21, assigned as commanding officer of LSMR–403, Lippi was one of the youngest to be given command of his own ship.
After the war, Lippi worked for Pacific Cement & Aggregates and Lone Star Industries for 42 years in California and Hawaii. At 62, he “failed” retirement and returned to work as CFO and treasurer for the Diocese of Honolulu.
Lippi gave many hours to charitable causes, serving on the board of directors for the Aloha Medical Mission, the Augustine Educational Foundation and Chaminade University of Honolulu. He and his wife Virginia were members of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre, an international charitable organization founded in 1099 committed to sustain and aid the charitable cultural and social works of the Catholic Church in the Holy Land. They attained the highest ranks of “Knight and Lady Grand Cross.”
He loved golfing with his boss, Bishop Joseph A. Ferrario, and his favorite buddies at Oahu Country Club. He was also an enthusiastic sailor, he could often be found on his 36-foot Choy Lee.
He is survived by his wife Virginia; three daughters, Susan Dorwart, Anne D’Angelo, and Maria Schwartz; and six grandchildren, Michelle Dorwart, Samuel, Michaela, Isabel, Caroline and Julia Schwartz.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Lippi’s memory to either the Aloha Medical Mission, 810 North Vineyard Blvd., Honolulu, HI 96817, (808) 847-3400, or the Augustine Educational Foundation, 6301 Pali Hwy, Kaneohe, HI 96744, (808) 230-2440.