Ross W. Hippensteel papers, 1912-1960 | Purdue University Libraries, Archives and Special Collections

By David Hovde and Mary A. Sego

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Collection Overview

Title: Ross W. Hippensteel papers, 1912-1960

Predominant Dates:1932-1950

Primary Creator: Hippensteel, Ross (1912-1997)

Extent: 13.5 Cubic feet

Date Acquired: 06/07/2007

Subjects: Engineering, Purdue University--Alumni and alumnae, World War, 1939-1945

Forms of Material: Artifacts (object genre), Certificates, Clippings (Information artifacts), Correspondence, Diplomas, Ephemera, Lecture notes, Pencil sketches

Languages: English

Scope and Contents of the Materials

The Ross W. Hippensteel papers (1912-1960; 13.5 cubic feet) document the college and military career of Ross W. Hippensteel. The collection contains many artifacts, papers, handbooks, manuals, certificates, class notes, clippings, correspondence, ephemera, a pencil sketch, clothing and other miscellaneous items. Some of the items belonged to his wife, Jean Rankin Hippensteel. The class notes are from many of his Purdue University, mechanical engineering and physics courses from 1929-1934, along with many Purdue University Military Department manuals. There is also a strong emphasis on U.S. army artifacts and manuals from the years proceeding World War II, World War II and the years thereafter.

Biographical Note

Ross W. Hippensteel was born to Benjamin F. and Amelia (Guempelein) Hippensteel, August 22, 1912 in Peru, Indiana. He was a 1930 graduate of Peru High School, and graduated from Purdue University in 1934. Ross Hippensteel married Geneva "Jean" Rankin in Wabash on September 19, 1934.

He retired October 31, 1974 after forty years as an engineer at Continental Steel Corporation. He also retired as a Lieutenant Colonel after serving twenty-eight years in the Reserves and active duty from 1942-1945, during World War II in the European Theater.

His memberships included First Congregational Church; a forty year member of Kokomo Metropolitan Kiwanis Club and was Lieutenant Governor of the Sycamore Division 1981-1982 and president of the Metropolitan Club 1971-1972; Society of Professional Engineers (A. A. Potter Chapter); Kokomo Elks Lodge No. 190; Kokomo Management Club; appointed 1958-1962 to serve on the Kokomo Center Township School Board and Library Board. He was appointed as a civilian engineer to the Advisory Board to help the new jail in 1968.

He had two sons, Benjamin R. and David L. Hippensteel and two grandchildren. Ross W. Hippensteel died April 7, 1997. He was buried with military honors by the Veterans of Foreign War.

Subject/Index Terms

Engineering
Purdue University--Alumni and alumnae
World War, 1939-1945

Administrative Information

Repository: Purdue University Libraries, Archives and Special Collections

Access Restrictions: Collection is open for research.

Physical Access Note: All materials have been housed in polyester sleeves, acid-free folders, and acid-free boxes. Some of the manuals have been removed from the collection for preservation purposes and cataloged as part of the Archives' book collection.

Acquisition Method: Donation received from Gary Hippensteel (grandson) on June 7, 2007.

Preferred Citation: MSA 34, Ross W. Hippensteel papers, Karnes Archives and Special Collections, Purdue University Libraries

Other URL: http://collections.lib.purdue.edu/fa/pdf/hippensteel_r.pdf

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Box:

[Box 1: Military Equipment and Artifacts, circa 1918-1950],
[Box 2: Military Clothing and Insignia, 1919-1950],
[Box 3: Military Clothing, 1940-1960],
[Box 4: Military Equipment, Assorted Equestrian Items, U.S. Army, circa 1936-1960],
[Box 5: Military Manuals, Military Correspondence, and Related Materials, 1927-1950],
[Box 6: Purdue University Military and Engineering Student Materials, 1929-1934],
[Box 7: School Papers, Railroad Related Materials, and Miscellaneous Material, 1912-1955],
[Box 8: Diplomas and Bill of Rights Reproduction, 1925-1932],
[Box 9: Adult and Children’s Clothing, circa 1935-1940],
[Box 10: Adult and Children’s Clothing, undated],
[Box 11: Artifact - Oversized, circa 1940],
[Item 1: Artifact - Oversized, circa 1940],
[Item 2: Artifact - Oversized, circa 1940],
[Item 3: Artifact - Oversized, circa 1940],
[All]

Box 1: Military Equipment and Artifacts, circa 1918-1950

Item 1: Artifacts, undated [two brushes and comb]
Item 2: Civilian belt with Army insignia attached, 1940-1950 [collar and hat insignia, recruiting service, U.S. unassigned, U.S. unassigned, U.S. unassigned, U.S. Medical Department, Infantry Company K, Field Artillery, Quartermaster Corps., U. S. unassigned, Medical Department, Army Air Corps]
Item 3: Shoulder insignia, 95th Infantry Division, U.S. Army, 1940-1950 [five fabric insignia]
Item 4: Dolls, ceramic, undated [African baby in yellow shirt, 4"; African with feathered skirt and black felt hair; European baby missing arms, markings 665/15 Germany]
Item 5: Glass cosmetic jar and metal pin, undated [heavy grooved glass jar with faux pewter lid, 1.75" x 1.75"; pin, red and white circular, 1.25", white ribbon attached with lettering, PICK ME UP AND HOLD ME TIGHT]
Item 6: Napkin rings and stein, undated [metal napkin ring, 1.635", engraved flower design, paper note, "from Aunt Ada"; metal napkin ring, 0.75", engraved flowers, limestone pebble inside; metal napkin ring, 1", has relief of Greco-Roman soldier's head]
Item 7: Blue Star banner, 1940-1950 [cloth, blue star banner with single star, 9" x 11"]
Item 8: M-1 steel helmet, U.S. Army, undated [olive green, chinstrap and liner, fixed bale, captain's insignia]
Item 9: Canteen, 1 quart, aluminum, 1918 [olive green canvas, infantry carrier OD #7, 1 quart, marked U.S. L.F.&C. 1918, with cup marked U.S. 1918 T.J.W.B.M. Co.]
Item 10: M-1936 web pistol belt OD #7, 1936 [olive green web belt]
Item 11: Hunting knife, undated [11" total length with a 6.5" blade, no markings. Brown leather sheath with etched initials RWH in a circle]