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Photograph by Jaqueline Ramseyer
Exemplary Service: Campbell resident David Cripe recently received an award from the Campbell City Council for distinguished service.
Public Citizen
Appreciating Campbell Area Parks
By Moryt Milo
Former Campbell Parks and Recreation Commissioner David Cripe was honored for his distinguished community service by city officials Jan. 15.
The two-term commissioner, who served the city from 1994 to 2001--one of the busiest for Campbell--implemented many park changes and improvements to its open fields and spaces.
Campbell Mayor Jeanette Watson publicly thanked Cripe for his hard work during a recent city council meeting.
Cripe and six other commissioners witnessed the renovation of Campbell, John D. Morgan and Virginia parks. He also saw the completion of Jack Fischer Park and the building of Edith Morley Park--the site of the former Winchester Drive-in--and the skate park at the Campbell Community Center.
When asked about all the changes and upgrades made during his years of service, Cripe said, "I really enjoyed my eight years on the commission and thought we accomplished some very worthwhile things. I'm glad to have been part of it."
Although he's now retired, he still helps organize the South Bay fishing clinic, co-sponsored by the city and Santa Clara County, for children ages 5-12. It is one of many programs that occupy his time.
Cripe was also a high school teacher for more than 38 years, and began his teaching career at Campbell High School in 1962. He then transferred to Westmont High School when it opened in 1964, and continued teaching social studies at Westmont High School until he retired in 1996.
While teaching at Westmont, he began in 1993 to coach the high school's golf team. But Cripe said this is his last year coaching the team and plans to retire when the season is over.
For Cripe, teaching and helping others has been an important part of his life.
Even in his retirement, Cripe continues to substitute at Westmont as a social studies and English teacher and he is one of 15 supervisors in the Stanford Teacher Education Program.
He became involved in STEP, a Stanford graduate school teaching program for students earning a master's degree and teaching credential, because several retired Westmont teachers recommended him.
"The Stanford student teachers are very bright," Cripe says. "I'm working with some outstanding young people."
Cripe also observes two graduate students who are teaching in the classroom and provides them with feedback. One student teaches in San Mateo; the other in Redwood City. He also meets with each student at Stanford once a week to offer advice and discuss teaching concerns.
Cripe, who has watched his children Sara and Tyler graduate from Westmont, while his third child, Casey, will graduate this spring, said, "Deciding to retire [as a high school teacher] was bittersweet. I taught thousands of students but felt it was time to pass the job on to someone younger after doing it for 36 years."
Does he miss being away from a career that spanned more than three decades?
Cripe says, "I miss the interaction with the students but I don't miss the paper grading."
Know someone who deserves to be in the paper? A terrific teacher, a compassionate cat lover or an outstanding volunteer? How about an artistic genius, an eccentric millionaire or a fabulous flamenco dancer? Nominate a Public Citizen! Send the name of a noteworthy neighbor to: Editor, The Campbell Reporter, 1095 The Alameda, San Jose, CA 95126; fax 408.200.1013; or email ssanchez@svcn.com.
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Campbell, California
