Carl was born in Kingman, Kan., to Albert and Clara Pipkin. After graduating from Cheney High School in 1949, he joined the Marines and fought bravely in the Korean War, achieving the rank of Sergeant before his discharge in 1955.
Ina Faye was born in Sumner, Kansas, to Fay and Grace Rowan. After graduating from Cheney High in 1952, she studied nursing at Colorado Womens College.
The couple became pen pals when Carl was in Korea, and fell in love through their letters. They wed Aug. 24, 1954, soon after Carl returned to the US. They had four children – Susan, Michael, Rebecca, and Larry – whom Ina raised as Carl acquired his bachelor of science degree at Friends University and his master’s degree in education from the University of Wichita.
Carl taught sixth grade for several years while studying computer science. Soon after he became employed at the Boeing Company in Wichita, he was offered a transfer to the main plant in Seattle, which he accepted. The family moved to Seattle, Wash., in 1965. Carl left Boeing to work for King County, and finally joined Kenworth/Paccar where he programmed mainframe computers until retirement in 1996.
Meanwhile, Ina Faye returned to her nursing studies, graduating cum laude in 1971 from the University of Washington with a bachelor’s degree in nursing. She directed the post-anesthesia care unit at Swedish Hospital, and was a founding director of the American Society of Peri-Anesthesia Nurses (ASPAN), becoming its first president in 1980.
Carl was an avid fisherman, hunter, and bridge player. Ina enjoyed painting, needlecraft, and gourmet cooking. They both loved travel, gardening, and doting on their grandchildren.
In May 2005, they moved to Cheney, Kan., where they lived 14 years before returning to Seattle to spend their final years closer to their children and grandchildren.
Carl was born on May 19, 1931, and died on Feb. 2, 2020. Ina was born on Oct. 18, 1934, and died on Jan. 12, 2021.
They were preceded in death by their parents; Ina’s sister, Marjean Clark; and sadly, their youngest son, Lawrence. They leave behind Carl’s sister, Sherla Parks; children, Susan Shemeta, Michael Pipkin, and Rebecca Rufin (and their spouses); eight grandchildren, six great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service is scheduled for 3 p.m. Sept. 25 at Trinity United Christian Church, 416 Washington St., Cheney. Please wear a mask. Memorial gifts may be made to this church or charity of choice.
