Thomas "Thom" Duncan Gipe

April 12, 1938 - December 1, 2021

Thomas “Thom” Duncan Gipe, 83, passed away on December 1, 2021, after a long battle with cancer. Born in Iowa, on April 12, 1938, Thom was a farm boy who, at an early age, knew he wanted to create art, weld metals, and build three-dimensional objects. As a young boy, he drew inspiration from the vast landscapes of Iowa and Nebraska and the communities, architecture, and animals that existed in the region. He attended Strahan High School and graduated with a BA from Tarkio College, where he met his beloved wife of nearly 60 years, Mary “Carol” Steffen. He went on to receive a BFA from the University of Nebraska, where he studied under Sydney Buchanan, and an MFA at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville (SIUE). He first served as a graphic and advertising artist. He then began his teaching career at Bemidji State University and then taught for 30 years as a tenured Professor of Sculpture at SIUE, completing his career as Professor Emeritus. Thom was a pioneer in the field of metalworking, casting, blacksmithing, and iron pouring. He helped build a nationally-known sculpture program at SIUE, which included state-of-the-art facilities and teaching programs that drew students from around the country. Along with his friend Professor Wayne Potratz, he co-founded the National Conference on Contemporary Cast Iron in Art in 1988, which is a major international conference that continues to this day. Thom exhibited, lectured, and taught nationally and internationally and held several visiting artist roles in Europe and the United States. His work has been included in numerous museums and private collections. He served as a board member of the Metal Museum of Memphis, TN. He was lovingly supported in his career by his wife Carol and daughter Tressa, who also enjoyed casting pieces with Thom. In his spare time, Thom was a classic car enthusiast. He personally rebuilt and refurbished a 1948 Ford pickup (racer yellow with Corvette engine) and a 1983 Avanti (Studebaker). He and Carol were active members of the Avanti Owners Organization International, where he assisted with the quarterly Avanti Magazine and spent time at the Bonneville Salt Flats Speed Week with the magazine editor and friend Lew Schucart. Thom found great joy in traveling annually to the beautiful Boundary Waters for 36 years of memorable canoeing trips with friends and family. He was a proud veteran of the United States Army, where he was a sharpshooter (expert badge) and held other key reservist duties. Thom also was a certified rescue scuba diver; rode Harleys; engaged in competitive dirt biking; was an ice-diver; was an incredible cook and gardener; and loved humor, old comic books, and the occasional prank. Of all his roles in life, Thom was most proud of being a husband to Carol, father to Tressa, and grandfather to his dear grandsons, Ivaylo and Marko. He is also survived by a brother, Larry, sisters- and brothers-in-law, many nieces and nephews, and numerous cherished friends from each aspect of his life. He was a consummate animal lover who adored his two cats. Thom is preceded in death by his parents, Everett and Alice, and beloved sister Karen. A private family ceremony will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, Thom’s lasting legacy would be best honored through a donation to the Friends of Art SIUE, the Metal Museum of Memphis, or the Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness. Online condolences may be expressed at weberfuneralhome.com