Harvey Dale Tripp

Harvey Dale Tripp, age 88, passed away April 30, 2022 at his home in Kettle Falls, WA.

Harvey was born in Deer River, MN on November 28, 1933. He grew up in Grand Rapids, MN and graduated from high school there. On a walk home from school one day he met the love of his life, Beverly Remington. She would later accept an invitation to the movies and they became high school sweethearts. Harvey and Bev were married in 1952 and moved to Missoula, MT. In 1953 Harvey was drafted into the Army and spent most of his time in Germany. He was honorably discharged in 1955.

Following his time in the Army, Harvey returned to Missoula and began his working career. He was ambitious and had a great work ethic. One of his first jobs was hauling explosive blasting powder, until his boss learned he was too young for the job. He owned a gas station and drove semi truck hauling lumber, logs and beer. He owned his own trucks as well as driving for other companies. In between hauling, he laid carpet and worked as a school custodian. Harvey was also partners in a long haul trucking company with his brother Roland Tripp.

Harvey and Bev had two children, Tom and Connie, while in Missoula. They enjoyed camping as a family and being outdoors. Harvey loved spending time with his many friends and cousins hunting and fishing.

In 1967 Harvey started a road construction company. Two years later work brought his family to the Colville area with the idea of only living there for a short time. He spent the next 20 years running Tripp Construction Company, building roads and logging for local lumber companies and the Forest Service. Among these were notable roads such as South Sherman, Bulldog Cabin, Little Boulder/ Independent and rebuilding a damaged road to Boundary Dam that took two years. As if he wasn’t busy enough, he also developed a 55 acre housing project in Kettle Falls. He worked with Lickfold Construction building spec homes and apartments.

Harvey was proud to be instrumental in helping develop the first Timbco Tree Sheer, which is still in operation today.

He was also a partner for a time in the Metallurgical Chip Plant at 12 Mile with his brother Fred. The company supplied wood chips to Alcoa.

In 1985 Harvey changed directions and purchased Acorn Distributing, a local beer company. He later renamed the business Tripp Distributing, Inc. At this time Harvey slowly began phasing out of the road construction business and retired from road building in 1988. He spent the next few years helping manage the beverage distributorship before selling the business to his son Tom.

Harvey ran his businesses with an iron hand, but had a heart of gold. His business philosophy was “anyone can buy equipment, but to be successful you need to hire good employees and treat them fairly“.

Harvey was proud to be a member of the Northeast Washington Shrine Club. He was recognized as a Master Mason for 50 years in 2021. He was a member of the Kettle Falls Lions Club, Kettle Falls American Legion, Colville Eagles, Colville Elks Club and the Arden Old Timers Rodeo. He was always willing to help when an organization needed something.

In his later years he enjoyed horse racing, traveling and had many fun times with his buddies on their boat “The Big Unit”. But most of all, he loved spending time with Bev and their family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Wilma Tripp, brothers Hiram, Roland, Fred and Richard and one sister, Florence.

Harvey is survived by Bev, his loving wife of 70 years. Sister, Sonja Cheek, Missoula, MT. Son, Tom (Mitsie) Tripp, Colville. Daughter, Connie (Mike) Phillips, Kettle Falls. Grandchildren, Tiffany (Steve) Darnold, Deyna (Ryan) Brown, TJ (Renata) Tripp, Morgan (Logan) Beardslee, Chelsea (Luke) Phillips. Great grandchildren, Adysen, Bayleigh, Parker, Phia, Jace, Tripp, Alba and Ever Jae .

celebration of Harvey’s A life will be planned for this summer. Memorial contributions may be made to the Shriners Children’s Hospital.