Paul H. Schipper, 78, of Waterloo, died Tuesday, March 29, at Ravenwood Nursing and Rehab Center in Waterloo, Iowa.

He was born June 11, 1933 in Hampton, Iowa, son of Harm and Reka Hemmen Schipper. He graduated from Hampton High and attended the University of Iowa on a football scholarship.

Paul served in the U.S. Army from 1955 to 1957 as a personnel clerk and played football for the Army at Fort Riley, Kansas.

He married Linda Melcher on March 3, 1956, at The Little Brown Church in Nashua. They were later divorced. On February 27, 1984, he married Sandra Thieman Eickelberg in Waterloo.

Paul began his career in the candy and tobacco industry with Phillip Morris. He managed Martin Brothers Company, Waterloo for many years. In later years, he started his own company, Schipper Wholesale, which he sold to Myers-Cox Company in Peosta, Iowa. He spent more than twenty happy years as sales manager for them in Waterloo.

He is survived by a half-brother, Jerry (Barbara) Schipper of Ankeny; daughter, Julia M. Schipper of Lakewood Ranch, Florida; a son, Tom of Lancaster, California; two stepsons, Rick Eickelberg and Jeff Eickelberg, both of Waterloo, three grandchildren, Ryan Schipper of Okinawa, Japan, Matt Schipper of Pensacola, Florida, and Haley M. Schipper of Okinawa, Japan; four step-grandchildren, Tracy Eickelberg, of Chicago, Ashley Eickelberg of Waterloo, Tina Eickelberg of Ankeny and Amber Eickelberg of Waterloo; grand-dog, Griffin of Lakewood Ranch, Florida; numerous nieces and nephews, wonderful friends and golfing buddies.

Paul is preceded in death by his parents; two sisters Ann Buchanan and Grace Karsjens; a brother Harold (Butch) Schipper; half-sister Linda Schipper; infant child Marsha and numerous friends and golfing buddies.

When Paul was growing up in Hampton, Iowa, his life revolved around school activities and sports. He was an All-State football and basketball player and set many records for Hampton High.

In later years, Paul had two passions-golf and his work. In Waterloo, he played golf with a group called The Rabbits-men of diverse backgrounds, education and employment who were among his closest friends.

As a sales rep, Paul never met a stranger and always remembered your name. He was out going and likeable-lots of fun. He loved every day he went to work. In fact, if someone called with a job today, he’d probably be back tomorrow.