Accomplished alumnus. Outstanding friend.

During his lifetime, Henry B. Tippie traveled from the fields of Iowa to Wall Street to a Texas ranch, thanks to hard work, integrity, and generosity—and to his University of Iowa degree. Tippie (BSC49), who became one of the university’s most significant supporters and benefactors, died Sunday, Feb. 20, 2022 in Austin, Texas. He was 95 years old. Read his full obituary.

Details about his memorial services in Belle Plaine, Iowa, and Austin, Texas, can be found here.

The Life of Henry Tippie

Henry Tippie as a young man with his livestock

Humble Beginnings

As a farm boy growing up in Belle Plaine, Iowa, Henry Tippie started his education in a one-room schoolhouse. In 1996, Henry B. Tippie spoke about his roots in small-town Iowa after being awarded the Horatio Alger Award. The award is given to those whose lives embody the Horatio Alger Association values "…including personal initiative and perseverance, leadership and commitment to excellence, belief in the free-enterprise system and the importance of higher education, community service, and the vision and determination to achieve a better future."

Henry Tippie in a B-29 Cockpit

World War II Veteran

After graduation from Belle Plaine High School in 1944, Henry enlisted in the Army Air Force at the age of 17. After his service in the 20th Air Force in the western Pacific, he was able to attend the State University of Iowa thanks to the G.I. Bill. He received his Bachelor of Science in Commerce (BSC) in accounting in 1949 after 24 consecutive months of study. In 2018, he took a flight in a B-29 Superfortress over his hometown in part to commemorate that time in his life.

Illustration of Henry and Pat Tippie

His Life-long Love

Henry and Patricia Tippie met when Patricia was a waitress at a diner. During the campaign to raise funds for the Pappajohn Business Building, Henry Tippie donated funds to build a 175-seat auditorium, a student lounge, and Pat's Diner, named for his wife, Patricia. They were married for 65 years.

Text graphic that says Tippie's Laws

Fundamental Rules for Business Success

No one becomes successful without a set of rules to live by, pithy words filled with wisdom. Henry B. Tippie was no different. His sage business advice was codified into a list by his son, Henry B. Tippie II, and became known as "Henry B. Tippie's Laws."

Henry Tippie rings the bell at the NYSE

Legendary Businessman

Henry B. Tippie brought innovative ideas to the world of business through his work with the company now known as Rollins, Inc. He was an instrumental part of the team that put together the company's purchase of Orkin Exterminating Company. This was one of the first large leveraged buyouts of its kind in U.S. corporate history. On August 10, 2018, Tippie made history again when he rang the closing bell at the NYSE 50 years after he was on hand for Rollins Inc. initial listing. Tippie was inducted into the NYSE Wall of Leaders, an honor only 16 other people have received, including Warren Buffett and Jamie Dimon.

Henry Tippie at University of Iowa Commencement

University of Iowa Champion

Henry B. Tippie has had a tremendous impact on the University of Iowa, its students and faculty, as well as his hometown of Belle Plaine and the business world at large. Tippie was an original member of the college's Board of Visitors (now called the Tippie Advisory Board). In February 1999, college was renamed the Henry B. Tippie College of Business in his honor. Tippie received an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from the University of Iowa in 2009.

Henry Tippie's 85th Birthday at Tippie College of Business

Big Band Fan

Henry was a life-long lover of big band music and booked the Glenn Miller Orchestra for his high school 50th reunion. In 2012, Henry Tippie celebrated his 85th birthday in Iowa City at a reception at the Tippie College of Business. The highlight was a surprise flash mob dancing to big band music and featuring appearances by University of Iowa President Sally Mason, Henry B. Tippie Dean William C. (Curt) Hunter, President and Chief Executive Officer of the UI Foundation Lynette Marshall, and the Henry B. Tippie Research Chair in Accounting Dan Collins.

Two of Henry Tippie's Books

The Evolution of Dr. No

Henry Tippie's personal history was memorialized twice in two books: Just the Facts by May K. Cobb published in 2003, and An Iowa Farm Boy on Detour by Margaret O. Kirk published in 2016. The 2016 book covers his small-town roots to the eve of his 90th birthday. It details how Henry Tippie got the nickname "Dr. No" as the financial watchdog of Rollins. His guiding principle was to guard the company's money like his own personal funds, and make careful, financially sound decisions.

Tributes