On Saturday August 12, 2023 Mel peacefully passed away with his wife Mary-Dawn by his side. Born in Vancouver on May 26, 1941 to Gwen and Wilfred Rippell and brother to Cathy Bradshaw.

Mel spent the majority of his life in the North. He taught at Atlin Elementary Junior Secondary School for over 20 years and was the principal the majority of that time. He took great joy in taking students on trips and arranging athletic events and Christmas concerts.

Mel was a bibliophile who was as likely to quote Yogi Berra as he was to quote William Shakespeare. He was also an opera aficionado, pool player, chainsaw gardener, chess enthusiast, freighter canoe captain, and inveterate rambler.

Of all his passions travel may have been his greatest love. In retirement he lived in Kenya for six years. He lived by the adage "I travel not to escape life but for life not to escape me."

A lifelong baseball fan he managed to visit every major league ballpark, travelling by train whenever possible. A loving and supportive grandfather he took great interest in following and attending the tournaments of his grandchildren Zophine, Quaid and Caleb.

Mel took up running when in his 70's while living in Kenya. He entered many races throughout Canada and ran races in Pyongyang and Israel. He was registered and training to run the 8km Royal Victoria Marathon event this October.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Mary-Dawn Rippell and his two sons Carlos and Adrian.