February 25, 1951 — December 14, 2022
Daniel Frances Sippl, 71, of Eau Claire, passed away at his home Wednesday, December 14, 2022.
He was born on February 25, 1951, in Antigo, Wisconsin to the late Joseph and Delores (Shallow) Sippl. He was number 9 of 10 children, 8 of which were boys! Dan graduated from Antigo High School in 1969, where he met Susan (Wild) and they were married on June 24, 1972. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this past summer with their three daughters and their families.
One of Dan's first jobs was as a truck mechanic, where he was able to work alongside a few of his brothers and other colorful characters who told stories to his daughters. After Dan and Sue were married, they moved to Green Bay, then to Shawano and finally to Eau Claire where Dan began his career with the State of Wisconsin as a white-collar crime investigator. He remained with the state until he retired on disability due to his degenerative eye disease, retinitis pigmentosa, in 1996.
Early retirement didn't suit him, and he quickly became involved with the Golden K Kiwanis where he later served as President. He then started his own business, Sip N' Snack Vending, through his involvement with the Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America®. Dan became involved in other organizations advocating for people who are blind and with low vision, including Wisconsin Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired, where he served on the Board of Directors; the Elected Committee of Blind Vendors of Wisconsin, where he served as president; and ADRC as a board member. He also continued his involvement with RSVA®, serving as president for 10 years before retiring for the second time in 2020. He served many years on the Sagebrush National BEP Training Conference committee, and worked as the exhibitor coordinator during the conference.
In 2007 at the 39th RSVA® convention at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Minneapolis, Minn., Dan won the RSVA® Vendor of the Year Award. This award is given to an RSVA® member who has been active in the affiliate for at least 5 years.
In 2018 at RSVA® 50th convention at the Union Station Hotel Hilton in St. Louis, Mo., Dan won the Don Cameron Advocacy Award. This award is given to an RSVA® member who advocated locally, statewide, and nationally for Randolph-Sheppard Vendors for at least twenty years. Dan was a true champion of the Randolph-Sheppard Program. His wisdom, mentoring, and kindness will be missed in RSVA®. Once he learned of the program’s possibilities, he advocated for improvements for vendors, working tirelessly in the face of governmental disinterest.
Before his eyesight prevented it, Dan was an avid woodworker. He and Sue would attend craft fairs in the area where they would sell his projects and Sue's crafts. He also served for a time as the President of the Eau Claire Area Art League. Dan was a proud dad and loving Grampy who loved to travel and spend time with his family.