In Memory of Dale and Virginia Leipper
This was written by Dale and Virginia's daughter, Diane for
the November 2009 Sierra Nevada Unit Newsletter
Virginia Leipper passed away peacefully
in her home October, 8 2009. Her husband of 62 years, Dale Leipper
passed away in 2004. This is a tribute to the Airstreaming part of
both of their lives. Dale and Virginia followed in the footsteps of
Virginia's parents Jo and Bryan Harrison (WBCCI #772) who became
Airstream owners in the early 1950's and who joined WBCCI in 1955,
the year it was founded. Dale and Virginia bought their first
Airstream in 1969. It was a 16ft Bambi. Soon after purchasing that
Bambi, they sought out and joined the Monterey Bay CA Unit. They
traveled the next 20 years in that Bambi, often to rallies and on
caravans with the MBCU as well as on their own. They were very
active in the MBCU and both served as elected officers, including
President and First Lady. They also hosted numerous MBCU rallies.
When Virginia's father could no longer tow his own Airstream, Dale
and Virginia often took him to the rallies they attended. In 1995,
after moving to Reno, they joined the SNU. Dale and Virginia were
instrumental in encouraging the SNU to once again hold rallies. They
hosted several of the rallies as well as picnics in the late 1990's
and early 2000's. When Dale and Virginia's towing days were coming
to a close, the family purchased a BVan. Son Bryan and daughter
Diane, had purchased an Airstream from members of the MBCU in 1992.
The idea was the BVan could become the tow vehicle while at the same
time enabling Dale and Virginia to maintain their WBCCI membership
and attend rallies with Bryan acting as chauffeur. This system
worked really well. After Dale's death it enabled Virginia to attend
SNU rallies until 2006. Dale and Virginia made some really close
friendships both in the MBCU and the SNU. They were responsible for
some memorable events in the MBCU. One of which occurred on an MBCU
Caravan to Mexico and another, when they put on a skit about how to
take a shower in a Bambi with a gallon of water. Virginia, being an
organized person and coming from a large Unit where organization was
more important, couldn't quite get used to the SNU's hap-hazard
parallel parking style. She commented on that several times. Dale
and Virginia have passed on the Airstream legacy to their children,
all of which own their own Airstreams and are members of WBCCI. They
also passed on the key principles upon which WBCCI was founded –
fun, fellowship, and adventure. Most important to get out in your
Airstream and enjoy the company of other Airstreamers.
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