Charles Leonard “Len” Hippler, 93, passed away peacefully at his residence at Benchmark Senior Living on Clapboardtree in Norwood, Massachusetts on December 31, 2021.

 

Len was predeceased by his wife of 60 years Frances (Fran) and his sisters Dottie Jessop and Betty Stevens. He leaves his three children and their families: Tom and his wife Kelley, Sue and her husband Dave Stevens and Mary and her husband Sean Hanratty. He also leaves his five loving grandchildren Tyler and William Hippler, Jay and Derek Stevens and Brenna Hanratty, and two great-grandchildren, Blythe and Hudson Stevens.

 

Len was born in Middletown, Connecticut to Henry and Ethel Hippler.  He graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School where he ran track and was a member of the National Honor Society. He went on to graduate from Wesleyan University, in Middletown, with a B.A. Degree in Economics. Len was a proud Army veteran who served in the Korean War from 1951 to 1953.   Len and Fran raised their family on Beechwood Drive in Madison, Connecticut and both worked for the Southern New England Telephone Company (SNET) for many years.

After retiring from SNET, Len and Fran moved to Rockledge, Florida where they lived for almost 30 years.

 

Len was a long-time gardener and had a great love of music.  He sang in several barbershop quartets, the New Haven Glee Club men’s choir, and the Saint Margaret’s church choir in Madison for many years.  Len was also a huge Boston Red Sox fan and an avid reader of western novels. He was known as “Poppy” when he volunteered at the Brevard County Rolling Readers program in Florida, sharing the joy of reading to elementary school children. Len relocated to Massachusetts after Fran’s death and was a resident of Benchmark Senior Living until his death.

 

At this time, there is no memorial service planned. A private family service and burial of Len and Fran’s ashes will be held later in the spring. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that those wishing to remember Len please make donations to the Rolling Readers Space Coast program (www.rollingreadersspacecoast.com/hippler) which is devoted to the same mission of sharing the gift of reading that he had. His volunteer work there brightened his day and reminded him of his children and grandchildren when he could no longer travel to be with them.