Harry Tripp

Harry P. Tripp, 89, of Libby, died Monday, Oct. 30, 2006, at St. John's Lutheran Hospital from natural causes.

He was born Sept. 17, 1917, in New Bedford, Mass., to Cleveland and Bertha Tripp. Harry lost both his parents in the flu epidemic after World War I, before he was a year old. He was raised by his grandparents, Emma and George York.

Following graduation from high school and a year of college, Harry joined the service and spent 1937 to 1939 as a radioman in the U.S. Army. He left the Army and joined the Navy and served from 1940 to 1945, during which time he spent 3 1/2 years as a prisoner of war in the Philippines and Japan. He joined the Air Force and served from 1945 to 1959.

In 1961, he married the former Barbara Brown in New Hampshire.

Harry worked for Hughes Aircraft Co. and Martin Marietta on the missile program and Morrison Knudson Co. on the Libby Dam, Teton Dam, American Falls powerhouse and Satsop nuclear projects as a certified safety professional.

He retired from Morrison Knudson in 1981 and moved back to Libby.

Harry was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Elks, Americans in Defense of Bataan and Corregidor, Air Force Sergeants Association, and Ex-POW Association.

He was well-decorated for his military service with two Silver Stars, a Bronze Star, a Purple Heart, a POW medal and a special commendation from Gen. Douglas MacArthur.

Survivors include his wife; daughters Sharyn Anderson of Peabody, Mass., and Katherine Tripp of Sunapea, N.H.; grandchildren Dana Anderson and Dawn Hunt; and four great-grandchildren.

Services will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday, Nov. 6, at Nelson & Vial Funeral Home in Libby.