The Darleen Phipps Memorial Scholarship Fund

Two of the most beautiful verbs in the world are “to love” and “to help.” With love and appreciation for his “bright star,” Robert M. Phipps has established The Darleen Phipps Memorial Scholarship Fund in memory of his wife, Darleen Marie Phipps.

A wife, mother, community volunteer and professional artist, Darleen Phipps was a pillar of strength, courage, and inspiration for her husband and children. Lee, as she was known by her family and friends, worked as a legal secretary but always dreamed of becoming an artist. She was a helpmate as well as a soul mate for her husband, Bob, making it possible for him to work a full-time job at The BFGoodrich Company and attend law school at night. Whenever Lee had a spare moment, she would pursue her passion and talent for art. Over the years, her still-life oil paintings received national and international acclaim and today hang in many private and corporate collections throughout the United States and Canada. Her artwork depicts many aspects of her life and her feelings about the world we live in.

Darleen and her husband Robert were married for 47 wonderful years before she passed away of cancer in December 1999. Together, they were the proud parents of three grown children and the devoted grandparents of six grandchildren. For Bob, Lee’s love and support were the reasons for his success in law school and life.

As a living legacy in celebration and remembrance of Lee’s life, The Darleen Phipps Memorial Scholarship Fund has been established. The purpose of the scholarship fund is to provide an award to a third- or fourth-year evening law student pursing a career in intellectual property law at The University of Akron School of Law. In awarding The Darleen Phipps Memorial Scholarship, the scholarship committee will give preference to students who have achieved a minimum GPA of 3.0 during the previous academic year. Prior receipt of The Darleen Phipps Memorial Scholarship as a third-year student will not bar the student from receiving the same award as a fourth-year student.