Businessman put safety first in neighborhood

Starting a community-oriented policing substation in the middle of a neighborhood was something unheard of in 1992, but Spokane businessman Bob Lipe was determined to make it happen.

Following the kidnapping and murder of 11-year-old Nicki Wood and 12-year-old Rebecca West in the West Central neighborhood, Lipe became a driving force in establishing COPS West in 1992.

Lipe, 75, died Wednesday. Even in his death, he and his family continue to support the police substation by asking that memorial contributions be made to COPS West.

Lipe was devastated by the deaths of Wood and West. They frequently bought candy from his Sure Save Grocery store in the neighborhood. He was one of the last people to see them before they disappeared.

Lipe believed in empowering the neighbors and involving them in keeping their neighborhoods safe.

In 1992, Lipe purchased the building at 1901 W. Boone Ave. to house the COPS West substation and charged them $1 per year for rent. “It’s the family’s intention to continue that,” said Lipe’s son, Terry.

Throughout the years, Lipe helped support COPS West by sponsoring golf tournaments, spaghetti feeds and other fund-raisers.

Terry Lipe said that there were challenges in getting the COPS shop up and running, but partly because of his dad’s determination and his late mom Donna’s organizational skills it happened.

“Dad was a self-motivated local businessman with a soft heart for people in need,” said Terry Lipe.

Lipe was a Spokane resident for 58 years. During that time he owned several gas stations that he later converted to convenience stores. He owned rental properties and operated several restaurants, including the Moezy Inn Tavern and Casey’s Restaurant and Lounge, both on North Monroe.

“He was a very hands-on owner. He always knew what was going on with everyone, and he cared a lot about his employees,” said Stefanie Cordero, who has worked at Casey’s for several years.

“I probably won’t retire until I’m unable to work,” Lipe said in a Spokesman-Review interview after he purchased Casey’s in 1999.

True to his word, he was at the restaurant and ready to open every day at 5:59 a.m. until a few months ago, when a series of strokes and dementia prevented him from working.