2022 Graduate of Distinction
Gordon B. Ripkey
Class of 1956
After graduation from Penn State University, Gordon began his career in education as a science teacher in Phillipsburg, NJ. In 1962 he was hired as a physics teacher at Lehighton High School. He then moved to a school administrator, where he served as Assistant Principal and then as Principal for 23 years.
During his years as a teacher and administrator he was also an assistant football coach for the 1964 Lehighton Indians football team which had a school best 9-1 record that earned them a share of the Lehigh Valley League championship.
Gordon served as a Board Member for the Lehighton Water Authority, on the Carbon County Fair Board of Directors, the Lehighton Cemetery Board of Directors and as a member of the Zion United Church of Christ Finance Committee. He was a very active member of the Elks and the Free and Accepted Masons. He co-authored a book along with his good friend Lamont Ebbert – “Lehighton – Images of America” which chronicles the history, culture, and scenic beauty of the town of Lehighton.
