Sam & Sharon Ripley

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Sharon and Sam Ripley have been married for 55 years. Sharon was born in Canandaigua NY and lived in Shortsville NY, Cincinnati OH, and Valley Forge PA, before moving to Lynchburg in 1967. She graduated from Lynchburg General Hospital School of Nursing in 1970 and was Head Nurse in the Emergency Department at LGH for several years before joining Piedmont Orthopedic Surgery (Ortho Virginia) where she worked for 43 years.

Sam Ripley, a lifelong Lynchburg resident, attended E. C. Glass High School and Central Virginia Community College. He was the first male graduate of Lynchburg General Hospital School of Nursing. He worked at LGH as Head Nurse in the Coronary Care Unit and the Emergency Room. He spent 20 years in pharmaceutical sales and 17 years in the occupational health field where he helped to establish the Occupational Health Clinic for the City of Lynchburg.

Sharon and Sam both retired in 2013 and have continued their extensive volunteer work that has included work on the Appalachian Trail for almost 50 years and numerous trips to the West to build and work on trails in the National Forests. Sam served as Supervisor of Trails for the Natural Bridge Appalachian Trail Club (NBATC) for 23 years. Sharon served as President and as Secretary of the NBATC.   As a couple, they have maintained a nine-mile section of the trail for almost 50 years. Both have served as members of the Board of Directors of the NBATC for 30 years.

They have two sons, both of whom are firefighters for the Lynchburg Fire Department, two wonderful daughters-in-law, and three grandsons—one is a firefighter for Suffolk VA, another attends Bridgewater College, and the third is a junior in high school.

Since retirement Sharon and Sam have spent winters in Sandridge VA, where they have volunteered at Sentara Virginia Beach Hospital. Throughout their lives they have loved hiking and camping. As independent travelers for over 50 years, they have visited over 43 countries, with extended stays in many places.

Their exemplary volunteer service has been acknowledged through the following awards:

Both Sam and Sharon received the NBATC Lanum Award – Maintainer of the Year; Appalachian National Scenic Trail Silver Service Award for 25 years of volunteer service; The United States Department of Agriculture Certificate of Appreciation for thousands of hours of Volunteer Service in the National Forest; the President’s Call to Service Award for Volunteer Service; and a Certificate of Appreciation – United States Department of Agriculture for volunteer work in the Bridger-Teton National Forest.

Sam was also awarded the Karen Goodwin Volunteering Excellence Award by the Free Clinic of Lynchburg VA; the Lynchburg Police Department Award for Services Rendered to the Community and Citizens of Lynchburg; and the Lynchburg Fire Department Certificate of Appreciation in recognition for his dedicated service to the Lynchburg Fire Department.