Bernard “Bernie” James Tekippe, age 78 of Atlanta, passed away Tuesday, September 15, 2020.
Born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on March 25, 1942, Mr. Tekippe was the son of the late Walter H. and Margaret Martin Tekippe. Mr. Tekippe attended high school, college, and seminary at St. Joseph Seminary College in St. Benedict, Louisiana, as well as Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans, Louisiana. He later did graduate work at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and then taught theology at Mount Saint Scholastica College in Atchison, Kansas, and at Loyola University in New Orleans, Louisiana. Bernie was a clockmaker and founder of Classic Clocks Atlanta, where he worked with his son Byron. Two of his original timepieces are on display in the National Watch and Clock Museum in Columbia, Pennsylvania, as well as the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, and others in numerous collections. Bernie had a true passion for precision timekeeping as well as educating and lecturing others about this topic. Mr. Tekippe taught clock repair classes in Atlanta and elsewhere. He was a member and Star Fellow of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Tekippe is preceded in death by his wife Carol Register Tekippe, sister Margaret Alphonso, brother Rev. Msgr. Terry J. Tekippe and brother Denis Tekippe.
Survivors include son and daughter in law Byron and Christine Tekippe of Clarkesville, grandsons Jacob Tekippe and Jesse Tekippe of Clarkesville, brothers Charles Tekippe (Anna) of Lake Charles, Louisiana, Vincent Tekippe (Diane) of The Villages, Florida, Edward Tekippe (Geri) of Louisiana, sister Marci Malinsky (Bob) of Houston Texas and brother in law Frank Alphonso of Slidell, Louisiana.
A celebration of life service will be held at a later date.
An online guestbook is available and may be viewed at HillsideMemorialChapel.com.
Arrangements by Hillside Memorial Chapel & Gardens, Clarkesville. 706-754-6256.
