In Memoriam
Wendell Tripp
1928-2023
COOPERSTOWN – Wendell Tripp passed away September 20, 2023.
He was born June 1, 1928, in Walden, the son of Eva Welsch Tripp and Wendell E. Tripp Sr. He graduated from Walden High School in June 1946 and joined the U.S. Navy the day after graduation. He served in the Navy for three years, much of that time aboard the light cruisers USS Wilkes Barre and USS Huntington.
Following his discharge from the Navy, he attended Drew University, majoring in English literature, and received the BA degree in 1953. He then received the MA degree in American History from the University of Michigan and the PhD from the Faculty of Political Science at Columbia University.
He taught world history at Port Jervis and Middletown high schools from 1955 to 1958 and taught American History at Hobart and William Smith colleges from 1958 to 1964. In 1964, he became director of publications and editor of the quarterly journal “New York History” at the New York State Historical Association in Cooperstown. Between 1964 and 2001, he edited 148 issues of the journal. He also produced “TheOtsego Herald,” published annually for many years at The Farmers’ Museum print shop. He wrote “The Church at the Farmers’ Museum” and edited several publications related to the museums.
He was also the author or editor of several books: “Through Poverty’s Vail,” published by Syracuse University Press; “World of the Founders: New York Communities in the Federal Period,” published by New York’s commission on the bicentennial of the U.S. constitution; “A Bibliography of Newspapers in Fourteen New York Counties,” co-edited with Sylvia Faibisoff, published by the South Central Research Library Council; “Coming and Becoming: Pluralism in New York State History,” published by NYSHA. He also contributed, without portfolio, to a variety of publications, including “The Empire State: A History of New York,” published by Cornell University Press.
His PhD dissertation, a study of Revolutionary War veteran Robert Troup, was published by Arno Press. Troup, a close friend of both Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr, was an active Federalist and a prominent attorney, but his major historic role was as chief administrator for Sir William Pulteney, an English peer who purchased millions of acres of land in western New York. Troup’s lobbying in the New York legislature enabled Pulteney and other Englishmen to own land in New York. He then established offices in several western New York communities and administered the sale of the Pulteney land to individual settlers.
In addition to being editor of “New York History” and director of publications for 37 years, Tripp was also director of library services for 10 years and was adjunct professor in SUNY Oneonta’s Cooperstown Graduate Program for 35 years and adjunct lecturer in that program for 15 years. He was also on the board of the South Central Library Council and represented NYSHA on the planning committee of the annual Conference on New York History.
His interest in history and in drama led him to write a play, “The Tragedy of Stephen Arnold,” which was presented at the Fenimore House theater, and to write two plays directed to elementary school audiences that were published in “The Grade Teacher.”
He was also active in local government, serving for several years on various zoning boards and serving for six years on the Cooperstown Board of Trustees and for six years as mayor of Cooperstown.
Wendell was predeceased by his parents, by his brother, Albert Tripp, sisters Marion Welsch and Mary Louise Meier, and by his wife, Maria K. Tripp.
He is survived by daughters Dana Peeters (Martin) and Nancy Morris (Daniel); son Robert Tripp (Angela); and by stepsons Robert Zamelis (Cristan) and Douglas Zamelis (Cheryl). He is also survived by grandchildren Stefanie Brindle (Kyllan), MariaRosa Konopka (Robert V.), Andrew Konopka, Olivia Morris, Leland Morris, John Tripp, Samantha Tripp, Madelyn Zamelis, Ariadne Wright (Alex), and Nicholas Zamelis (Lauren); and great-grandchildren Carmella, Tolba, and Aoife Brindle, Giuliana Konopka, and Vivianne Konopka.
A Memorial Service to the Glory of God and in Thanksgiving for the Life of Wendell E. Tripp Jr. will be offered at noon on Tuesday, October 24, 2023, at The First Presbyterian Church of Cooperstown, with the Rev. Jessica Lambert officiating. Following the service there will be a time for refreshment and fellowship in The Chapel adjoining the church sanctuary.
His remains have been laid to rest with his beloved wife, Maria, in The Columbarium in the Church-yard of the First Presbyterian Church of Cooperstown.
Arrangements are under the care and guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.
I am very sorry to read this news. Always a gentleman and a scholar, as well as civic-minded. I fear we will not see many like him again.
Wendell Tripp was a gentleman and a scholar if there ever was one. He saw the foibles of humans more clearly than most, yet maintained a diplomatic dignity while telling you about them. He could have been (and occasionally was) a stand up comic. Old Cooperstown at its best.
Ron and I have fond memories of Wendell. He invested both time and interest in our research when we were students. He was thesis reader for both of our degrees in the Cooperstown Graduate Program in 1971 and 1976, and always assisted with research and exhibit projects through my years at Johnson Hall. He published at least one of my articles in New York History. We enjoyed knowing him. He was loved by many and will be missed.
Wendell Tripp was an excellent editor, and he recrafted a manuscript of mine into shape for publication in New York History. He had an excellent knowledge of the literature of New York history, and he raised the standards of the journal to a truly professional level. His most entertaining publication was an article in that journal in Winter 2002, “How to Disenvowel a Charging Historian.” Should “historian” be preceded by “a” or “an”? Literate and cultured gentleman that he was, Wendell decided that it should be “an.”
Wendell Tripp was both a scholar and patient with those of us attempting to be. He edited and collaborated and he believed in the value of speaking to local historians, allowing me to present On Doing Local History in New York for more than a decade in New York History. Mostly, Wendell was a marvelous judge of character and was hilarious in explaining his judgments. He kept copious notes at meetings in a precise hand, and was always gracious. He will be missed: he was a historian’s best editor and friend.