Oh Kip, how I will miss you.

Kip passed away Friday, right before I got on a boat in Costa Rica to go fishing.

There is no doubt in my mind he is the reason we caught 14 fish. My heart is broken. I was planning on visiting him when I got home. He was out and about last weekend, no idea this would be his last week. Until Julie text me Thursday to tell me he wasn't well.

He taught me so many life lessons. I loved just sitting beside him and listening to him tell stories. Many of those I wrote here.

Milton Rae "Kip" Oppegaard, age 74, of Topsail Beach died Friday, March 26, 2010 at his home.

He was born in Valley City, North Dakota and was the son of the late Martin Milton Oppegaard and Blanche Oppegaard Bourgeois. Also lovingly remembered is his wife of 39 years, Annette Boryk Oppegaard.

Surviving are his son, Michael Oppegaard and his wife, Susanne of Hampstead; daughter, Michelle O. Weaver and her husband, Eric Weaver, Sr. of Raleigh; grandchildren, Eric Michael Weaver, Jr. and Anna Amelia Boryk Weaver; brothers, David Oppegaard of West Belmar, NJ, Bobby Oppegaard of Shreveport, LA and Stephen Bourgeois of Mt. Vernon, WA; special friends who were like sisters, Margarette "Missy" Lindsey and Jackie Darr; and all of Kip's "South End Family".

As a young child Kip moved from Valley City to Seattle, Washington, and then in 1946 to Vashon Island, Washington. At the age of 17 years Kip joined the US Navy serving during the Korean Conflict. For a short time after serving his country, Kip worked on Alaskan trawlers. In September of 1968 he married Annette, and in 1970 they moved to Topsail Beach where they raised Michael and Michelle and spent many happy years. He was owner and operator of Topsail Sound Pier from 1971 to 2005. He was always active in the Topsail Beach community, serving as a Medical Technician Instructor, Town Commissioner from 1975 to 1981, and Mayor from 1983 to 1999. Kip was a man of many talents; a musician playing the drums, fisherman, sail boater and restaurateur. Cherished memories of Kip Oppegaard and his lively stories, love of laughter and caring for others will always be remembered.

The family will receive friends 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Sunday at Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home in Burgaw. A cordial invitation is extended to attend a reception at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, March 29, at the Assembly Building at Topsail Beach.

Graveside services for M. R. "Kip" Oppegaard will be private. Casketbearers will be Keith Griffin, Kenny Sessions, Wes Reynolds, Randy Holladay, Mark Sloan, Ricky Smith, Jamie Williams, and Dave Gardner.

Memorial gifts to Historical Society of Topsail Island, PO Box 2645, Surf City, NC 28445; or to Sea Turtle Hospital, PO Box 3012, Topsail Beach, NC 28445.

But you know, his wife died two years ago on the 9th. He missed her so much. He lived a wonderful, full life. In true Kip style, I'm going to a party for him at 2. What do you wear to that? He'd say something that showed cleavage.

Don't think the stories are over, I'm sure I will remember more. Do say a prayer for me, his family, and all of his friends.

My heart is breaking

Kip has been sick off and on for a few weeks.

He hasn't been able to kick this as well as usual.

He is having exploratory surgery on his kidneys October 20th.

They told him there isn't much more they can do for him.

I drank myself into oblivion last night when I found this out. So, I have spent today being hungover and sad.

Then my realist called. "Lisa, his wife is gone. His family doesn't visit all that often, when they do they drive him crazy. He spends his time reading books. The highlight of his day is seeing people at the bar. He doesn't have much. It may just be his time." I was angry when he said this. Then I thought about what he was saying. I'm being selfish.

So, pray for my Kip. I have to work the night of his surgery at the bar. It'll be busy. It'll be 20 sets of eyes looking at me and not saying much.

I told one of his best friends, when we find out his prognosis, we're going to have a party. Just like we did for Miss Annette.

If he isn't here in January for our birthdays, I will have to leave the country.

I think I'll write him a letter and tell him how much I love him.

Sicker thank Kip

We were discussing the Chief retiring the other night.

One of the TBPD was in the bar talking to Kip (this is a very normal occurrence, to the point I'd rather have them in there than not now).

Kip was saying how since retiring that the Chief's health had gotten much better. He said "He is in worse health than I am!" I said "Mr. Stint, say it ain't so!" I thought the cop was going to die laughing. Kip then began listing Chief's health issues. I said "But you have all those stints" He said "But he has a pacemaker. I don't have a pacemaker!"

Oh how I love living around old people.

Mr. Stint

Kip had a minor surgery yesterday. Before he went in he said it would be "Weeks before I can drink again." When I spoke to him last night, he was at home doing fine and told me "I'll see you at the bar in a couple of days." :) Funny how pain meds change your mind.

Get well soon Kipper!

Tonight we were discussing clubbing seals...

Yes...

Kip was telling me how when he lived in Alaska from 1956-1958 that the seals would ruin the salmon runs. They would eat whichever end of the fish was sticking out of the net. So, they would shoot at them and club them *YIKES!*


Tonight, he also said "Lisa, that guy who bought you a beer, you know he is a millionaire right?" I said "Been there, tried that, it didn't really work well. Kip, I'm holding out for you." "There is a line, but I'm available next Tuesday."

PJs & PJ for our birthdays...

This is me and Kipper. On his 73rd birthday. Note that he is not wearing PJs. It's fine. I love him anyway. I'm wearing a black nightgown. You can't see the classy wool socks. It was COLD that night.

We all had a great time, drank more than we should have, but it turned out well.

Our birthdays

Tonight we were talking about all the PJ drank on the sandbar this weekend.

I said "Kip! We need to have a PJ party for our birthday this year! We can all drink PJ and wear PJs!"

He said "I don't own any PJs. I sleep naked." I almost fell off my bar stool.