John E. Rippin

John E. Rippin, age 62, Dayton, Ohio, died November 21, 2011. Born December 26, 1948, John studied at Cleveland Institute of Music, graduated from Case Western Reserve University, and attended Manhattan School of Music for graduate studies. During his career, he was a pianist for American Ballet Theatre and Joffrey Ballet School in New York; Les Grandes Ballets Canadiens in Montreal, Canada; the Dayton Ballet, John Rodriquez School of Ballet, Wright State University, Pontecorvo Ballet Studios, Ballet de Jeunesse, and Dayton Contemporary Dance Company in Dayton Ohio, among many other studios. He also had his own piano studio and taught many students in and around the Dayton, Ohio area. John was active in musical theater as both a performer and music director for many years. He also designed a comprehensive, comparative Western Civilization arts history course, which he taught as an Immersion Class at The Miami Valley School. Preceded in death by his mother, Mary Jo Rippin, and brother, Richard Rippen. Survived by his father, James F. Rippin, loving friends, Blake Senseman and Dianne Suiter, and many other dear friends. A celebration of John's life will take place on December 11, 2011 from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. at 270 Orchard Hill Dr., West Carrollton, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Foundation for Aides Research, 120 Wall St., 13th Floor, NY 10005-3902. John's talent and love for all of the arts, as well as his deep empathy for people, have left an unforgettable gift for many whose life he touched. Arrangements in care of Newcomer Funeral Home (Kettering, Ohio).