Dr. John Tripp

Dr. John C. Tripp, 64, of Belleville, Ill., formerly of Cape Girardeau, died Tuesday, March 27, 2012, at Rosewood Care Center of Swansea, Ill.

He was born March 13, 1948, in Herrin, Ill., son of Charles and Eva Kaleta Tripp.

John retired from teaching mathematics at Southeast Missouri State University. Previously he taught at the University of Texas in Austin.

He graduated cum laude from Knox College in Galesburg, Ill., where he was elected to membership in Phi Beta Kappa honorary scholastic fraternity. He obtained his master's degree from the University of Illinois and a Ph.D. in mathematics from Claremont Graduate University in Claremont, Calif.

John enjoyed learning foreign languages, traveling, photography and teaching. He was fluent in German, French, Spanish and Polish. He also studied Russian, Czech, Japanese, Arabic and other languages.

Survivors include sisters, Martha (Jack) Story and Sharon Fear; nephews and nieces, Kevin (Joan) Story, Geoffrey Story, Andrea (Todd) Hilding, Stephanie (Brandon) Thomas and Lynn (Roger) Wondra; great-nephews and nieces, Justin, Austin and Nathan Story, Chase, Carter, Campbell Thomas, Jason and Craig Bals and Steven Hilding.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Special thanks to Rosewood Care Center of Swansea for the special attention and loving care John received, and the services of Passages Hospice.

A memorial gathering will be held from 10 a.m. to service time Saturday at Valhalla Gaerdner Holten Funeral Home in Belleville, Ill.

A celebration of life service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Kip Knavel officiating. Interment will be private at Herrin Cemetery.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.valhallagardensandfuneralhome.com.