George Tipler

George Tipler

The noted choreographer, Katherine Graham, once said, "To love what you do and feel that it makes a difference, what could be more fun!"

LIR member George Tipler can identify with that comment. He loved what he did -and still does -in the educational arena. He would be too humble to say that he definitely has made a difference, but he does acknowledge that he's had fun.

Although his early work was as a partner with his father in a trucking business, it was his 25-year stint as a Winneconne School District board member that eventually redirected all of his energies to ensuring the best for Wisconsin's school children on a statewide basis. George served as executive director of the Wisconsin Association of School Boards from 1954 to 1988; and although he attended every WASB meeting and sometimes had to cope with volatile issues such as reorganizing the state's school districts, what he remembers most was the fun of working with interesting, capable and public service-minded people.

And yes, he definitely has made a permanent impact on education in Wisconsin.

Among the accomplishments he recounted was abolishing the county superintendency concept and replacing it with much more efficient and effective regional service agencies (CESAs), among the first in the nation.

Under Tipler's leadership city school districts moved to a more independent position relative to city councils, and the Wisconsin School Attorneys Association was inaugurated to elevate the stature of school law.

The concept of "unified school district" reflects Tipler's impact, and the WASB services that he and his staff provided resulted in every Wisconsin school district's retaining its membership in the organization.

His contributions to Wisconsin education and at the national level were recognized with various citations and awards, including an honorary doctorate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1985.

Even after retirement, George continues his interest in education and is called upon to assume leadership. Then Superintendent of Public Instruction Herbert Grover persuaded him to assume leadership in the Department of Public Instruction over a three-year period to address the void in pre-school education. Child care initiatives, new legislation, successful grants for early childhood programs are just a few examples of "taking it easy" in retirement!

His excitement about the benefits and opportunities through LIR membership is without bounds. He has taken 12 to 15 courses each semester and finds them challenging and constructive. They included computer classes that led to a computer station at home and current issues courses that prompted work as a lobbyist. LIR members have acknowledged his leadership on the steering committee and as chair of the finance and administration committee.

Whenever George Tipler decides really to retire, we'll probably find him spending more time with travel and with his family. He and his wife have three children (one in insurance, one physician and one nurse) and six grandchildren. Until then, those priorities will have to share his time with his love of education.