Obituaries

Alfred Lipsey

obit_LipseyAlfred E. Lipsey, 96, died June 27, 2015.

Mr. Lipsey graduated from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1940, with a B.E. in drama. He graduated from the University of Southern California in 1949, with an M.A. in drama. He was an actor/director of theatrical productions for USC and community theaters in Nebraska, Iowa, Massachusetts, Arkansas, Germany and California. Mr. Lipsey was a member of the United States Air Force, where he served for 26 years, through World War II the Korean War and the Vietnam War. He retired as a Lt. Colonel, personnel director, in 1967. He received the Air Force Commendation Medal with Three Oak Leaf Clusters. Mr. Lipsey was the vice president of human resources at a Stamford, Conn. paper manufacturer, retiring in 1983, after which he and his wife, Joan, moved to Tucson. He was a member of the board of Jewish Family & Children’s Services in Tucson and Des Moines, and the Jewish History Museum in Tucson. He was a former president of the Jewish Historical Society of Southern Arizona. Mr. Lipsey was a member of Congregation Or Chadash and Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity. A genealogist for over 50 years, he was associated with national Jewish genealogical activities. He wrote historical articles and lectured on Jewish pioneers of Southern Arizona. He compiled the index of Jewish Graves in Cemeteries in Southern Arizona, published by the Jewish Historical Society of Southern Arizona in 1996.

Mr. Lipsey was preceded in death by his wife, Joan, and sister, Leonord Pidgeon Greenberg. Survivors include his daughter, Liane (David) Cooper of Tucson; sisters, Frances Burns and Barbara (Sol) Nagorner, both of San Diego, and Rose Lee Pomerantz of Des Moines; and one grandson.

Services were held at East Lawn Cemetery with Rabbi Thomas Louchheim and Cantor Janece Cohen of Congregation Or Chadash officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Jewish History Museum, 564 S. Stone Ave., Tucson, AZ 85701, or Congregation Or Chadash, 3939 N. Alvernon Way, Tucson, AZ 85718.