Robert Billie Sipe: June 25, 1948 – September 3, 2026

ST. HELENS- Bob was born June 25, 1948 in Weiser, Idaho. His first bed was a dresser drawer in his parents’ bedroom. By the time he was three, the family had indoor plumbing, and the family fortunes improved from there.
He graduated from Weiser High in 1966, then left from New York City to attend Columbia University. In his sophmore year, 1968, he left New York for Weiser. He married Martha Rice on June 8 of that year. Their priest suggested that they wait because they were only 19 and he was in danger of being drafted. They married anyways and recently celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary.
Later in June, he was drafted and spent a year in Vietnam with the 101st Airborne Division. The struggle to stay alive and sane would then define many years of his life. He returned to college in 1971 and entered the University of Idaho, graduating in 1976 with a bachelor’s in civil engineering. He then moved to Boise to work with Idaho Power Company. His first assignment was collaborating with Morley Nelson to design and build eagle platform to keep the birds safe on transmission lines.
The family then moved to Western Oregon, but they returned to Idaho in 1981 and lived on the family ranch before moving to Boise, where he once again worked for Idaho Power. Bob’s road, Bob’s pipeline, Bob’s bridge and Bob’s park were among construction projects the kids loved visiting while Bob played show and tell.
In midlife he felt a strong call to the ministry, so he and Martha moved to Berkeley, CA for three years while he attended CDSP, the Episcopal seminary there.
He was called to be the vicar of St. Helens in 2001, and he and Martha lived there for the next 25 years. When they moved to St. Helens, Martha graciously allowed him to buy a motorcycle. He soon became a Harley guy, and some in the parish called him the Sermonator. He retired in2013 and he and Martha traveled for a number of years.
In 2025, after much testing, he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, and fought it until his death, September 3, 2026.
He enjoyed his four granddaughters, Eden, Wren, Becca and Lissie. H also loved his great grandchildren, Ember and Owen.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Margaret Speedy Sipe and Billie Sipe, many of his aunts and uncles, and friends including Darrell Walker, the best man at his wedding. He is survived by his wife, Martha; his children, Jennifer Greenleaf and Marcus Sipe; his four grandchildren and two great grandchildren; and his siblings, Barbara Cross, Marilynn Dacolias, Phyliss Nichols, and Mark Sipe. He also survived by his aunt, Alice Hartley, a number of nieces and nephews, cousins, and many friends.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Episcopal Relief and Development.