Drag racer Bob Chipper dies

Veteran East Coast racer Bob Chipper died July 10 after a courageous battle with cancer. He was 73.

Chipper got his start at Pocono Drag Lodge near Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Pa., racing his ’55 Chevy, ’40 Willys, ’33 Willys, and ’70 Hemi 'Cuda. He was a formidable opponent on the Gassers circuit throughout the United States and Canada.

Chipper raced at Tri-Cities Drag-Way in the 1960s with Joe Amato, Shirley “Cha Cha" Muldowney, and “Big Daddy" Don Garlits. He later became a star on the East Coast Fuel Funny Car circuit during the 1970s. He was inducted into the newly opened Tri-Cities Drag-Way Hall of Fame June 11, 2011, and into the 2009 Legion of Honor as a pioneer of drag racing.

Chipper is survived by his brother, David, and sisters Camille and Robin.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, July 13, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Hopler & Eschbach Funeral Home, 483 Chenango St. in Binghamton, N.Y. Funeral services will be held at 8 p.m., immediately following the calling hours. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to Lourdes Hospice.