Message from Emery Bayley

For some reason, I was thinking of Montana and remembering the Rock Creek Project in Sanders County and I decided to Google Ron Gipe who was my helicopter pilot. I was dismayed and, I must say shocked, to come up with this website notifying me that he passed over two years ago.

Ron was the penultimate helicopter pilot who lifted every burden a major mineral exploration project in the Cabinet Mountains could throw at him. VERY professional and talented behind the stick. I never doubted that when he dropped me off on one skid on the side of a mountain, he would pick me up at the same place and safely get me home that night. He had a lot of burden's besides the drilling equipment and men that had to be placed on or near Chicago Peak in those years of 1980 to 1983. He also had to deal with Mount St Helens ash, which could have severely damaged is brand new Soloy conversion G3B-1.

My belated condolences to the family. I had hoped to see him once again on some random trip to Montana. But that was not meant to be. I hope is wife and family may remember the cabin on the Bull River and those halcyon days when we were all trying to make a 'mine' under the Cabinet Mountains Wilderness.

Emery Bayley
former Rock Creek Project Manager for ASARCO
1979 - 1983
EmeryBayley@comcast.net

Message from Tom Keegan

My heartfelt condolences to Ron's family. I spent more than 800 hours in 87 Sierra with Ron, as well as many days in backcountry cabins, conducting wildlife surveys. I always enjoyed his company and his outstanding ability as a wildlife survey pilot. Truly the best of the best.

Sincerely,

Tom Keegan
Former IDFG Salmon Region Wildlife Manager

Message from Tom Keegan

1 file added to the album New Album Name

Message from Dale Becker

I flew helicopter wildlife surveys on the Flathead Indian Reservation with Ron from the mid-1980s thru the mid-1990s, and later my staff flew those surveys with him. He was the best pilot that any of us have had the opportunity to fly with. He knew his aircraft, the local landscape, the wildlife we were surveying and us. We always felt completely safe and secure with him while doing work that often results in the loss of biologists. We knew his skill and experience and the way that he maintained his aircraft. They were exceptional. On a personal note, having the opportunity to work with Ron was a true privilege for us. He was an outstanding person and as kind and friendly a man as one might ever hope to meet. We will miss him and the opportunity to fly with him again for the rest of our lives. We wish his family well in dealing with his loss.

Dale Becker, Wildlife Program Manager
Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes

Message from David Rodli

Dear Kathy and Family:

Please accept our deepest condolences in Ron's passing. He is a fine, fine man, whose legacy lives on; and he is simply living in a different place - the best place possible.

We will be praying for you in the coming days.

Our love to you,

Dave and Penny Rodli

A candle was lit by julie on July 16, 2014 4:40 PM

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Ron was the finest man.
We think of him as entirely devoted to his family, exceptionally gifted at his work, and consistently generous in demonstrating to others how to enjoy life. It was always good when Ron shared a day with you.
Our hearts go out to the Gipe family who will miss him the most.
Condolences, Julie and George

Secret Garden Basket was purchased for the family of Ronald Ralph Gipe.

Beautiful in Blue was purchased for the family of Ronald Ralph Gipe.

Cheeseboard Complete was purchased for the family of Ronald Ralph Gipe.