Herman Kendall Pipe Sr., Hehaka Luta Red Elk , age 73, passed away at Miles City Veteran’s Hospital on July 20, 2016.
Herman was born on September 23, 1942 to Jack and Elaine (RedElk) Pipe. Herman was preceded in death by his son, Horace; grandson-Jeremiah, his parents and seven brothers: Jack, Myron “Buddy”, Jimmy, Richard “Dickie”, twins- Reuben and Frederick, Turbren Kendall, and sister-Lillian Rose Weinberger.
Herman grew up on the ranch in Chelsea with all his family. He was knowledgeable of his culture and was a historian and storyteller. When he was a freshman in High School, he and his family moved to Wolf Point. Herman was a talented football and basketball player, making the varsity basketball team when he was a freshman. He then moved to Poplar and played on the varsity team there before enlisting in the Air Force. He enlisted in 1960, and was discharged in October of 1963. While in the Air Force he was specially trained and received top security clearance before being deployed to the Middle East region. This specialized training and his many talents provided him with the necessary skills for many jobs: electrician, telephone lineman and installer, and construction inspector. He had his own construction company and was an accomplished carpenter. He spent most of his adult life away from home working on other Indian Reservations in Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota and Montana. He did this while raising a family, and instilling a strong work ethic in his children.
Herman retired as a facilities manager for the Bureau of Indian Affairs and returned home. His retirement allowed him to spend the last 3 decades of his life becoming closer to his family that remained, exploring and passing on his knowledge of family, culture, tradition, and values.
Herman enjoyed creating artwork with his hands and was always busy. Many will always remember him by some of the leather work, carvings, or some other craft work that he created for them.
Herman is survived by his wife of fifty years, Patricia Fourstar Pipe, sons: Herman Jr., Jared, and Patrick Pipe; Gene Bad Hawk, and daughter Winona Ritchie. Sister-Helen Pipe, numerous nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, cousins and friends.