Reverend Dr. Dennis Charles Michael Lipke

The Reverend Dr. Dennis Charles Michael Lipke went to be with his Savior on September 10, 2025, in Hopewell, VA, at the age of 78. He was born in Durban, South Africa, on September 22, 1946.

Dennis spent the first 40 years of his life in South Africa, where he met and married Dale Norma Usher. He then studied at the Bible Institute of South Africa, where he became a candidate for the Methodist ministry. He attended Rhodes University in Grahamstown, South Africa. They had three children, Charmaine, Caroline, and Andrew. Dennis served God by serving God's people in various churches in South Africa.

Dale and Dennis brought their family to the United States of America in 1987, where he continued his studies and received a Doctor of Ministry from Wesley Theological Seminary. Dennis continued to serve God's people through his ministry in the USA, until he was called home.

He was a beloved Pastor to countless congregations and will be sorely missed. Both Dennis and Dale had a heart for missions and went on numerous Volunteers in Mission trips. He was also an avid gardener, with a green thumb, and spent many hours tending to his precious plants, his favorite of which were his roses. Another one of Dennis's passions was to travel; he and Dale loved to cruise and traveled to many different countries throughout their more than 55 years of marriage.

Next to his love for God was his love for his family. He was the oldest of six children, and is predeceased by his parents, Violet Annie Lipke and William Charles Lipke; and three of his siblings, Hazel Nel, Beverly Fouche, and Mark Lipke. He is survived by his siblings, Norma Siebert and Basil Lipke. He is also survived by his wife, Dale; his three children, Charmaine Cowell (Edwin), Caroline Fleming, and Andrew Lipke (Myriah); and his eight grandchildren, Zachary Cowell (Devon), Joshua Fleming (Samantha), Ryan Cowell, Jacob Fleming, Jonas Fleming, Arabelle Lipke, Juliet Fleming, and Scarlett Lipke, who loved him dearly.

There will be a memorial service honoring Dennis at Ginter Park United Methodist Church, 1010 West Laburnum Ave Richmond, VA, on Thursday October 2, 2025, at 11.00 am, after which his ashes will be interred in their memorial garden.

Refreshments will be served after the service.

In lieu of flowers donations in his memory can be sent to United Methodist Volunteers in Mission at the following link http://umvim.org/dennis