08/11/2026
Our dance community lost a good one💙
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Dakota County lost a remarkable man this week with the passing of Bob “Wip” Wiplinger at age 80.
Wip was one of those rare people whose accomplishments were enormous, but whose ego never was.
He grew up around airplanes at Fleming Field, followed his father Ben into the family aviation business and became one of the great innovators in Minnesota aviation history. Under Wip’s leadership, Wipaire grew into the world’s largest manufacturer of aircraft floats and one of our area’s great homegrown businesses.
His most important innovation may well be the Fire Boss. Wip helped develop the system that allows an aircraft to skim across a lake or river, scoop up hundreds of gallons of water in seconds and deliver it directly onto wildfires. Fire Boss aircraft are now used around the world and have helped save countless lives, homes and communities.
Those accomplishments earned Wip induction into the Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame and the FAA’s Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award, among many other honors.
But that isn’t really what I will remember most about him.
Wip was about the most humble, generous and gregarious guy you could ever meet. He loved people, aviation and animals of every kind, from his pet parrot Fred to the local raccoons he was forever trying to outsmart around the bird feeders. And he had a terrific sense of humor.
When I wrote about his Hall of Fame induction a few years ago, I said I was certain Wip would immediately give the credit to everyone else, including his dad Ben, his son Charlie, his family and especially the employees at Wipaire. That was Wip.
For all the places his airplanes and innovations traveled, he remained deeply connected to the community where it all started.
My condolences to Linda, Nancy, Chuck, the entire Wiplinger family, his Wipaire family and the many, many people who were fortunate enough to call Wip a friend.
He made a tremendous impact on aviation and on the world, but an even bigger impact on the people who knew him.
Rest in peace, Wip. You will be greatly missed.
