Vincent Jude Tekippe, PhD., 82 years old of The Villages, Florida, passed away on July 18, 2026.
Born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on December 12, 1943, Vincent, is the third of eight children born to the late Walter H. Tekippe and Margaret Martin Tekippe, affectionately known as “Rose”.
Vincent was raised in New Orleans, Louisiana where he met his wife, the love and partner of his life Diana C. Tekippe (Cefalu). Vincent’s academic accomplishments served as the cornerstone to the life he and Diana built together and was the most important virtue he instilled in his children. Vincent graduated from Cor Jesu High School in 1961, which has since merged with St. Aloysius to form Brother Martin High School, located in New Orleans, Louisiana. Vincent obtained his Bachelor of Science in Physics from Louisiana State University, New Orleans Louisiana (LSUNO) in 1966, his Master of Science in Physics from LSUNO in 1968, his Ph.D. in Physics from Purdue University in1973, where he also received the Lark-Horowitz Award in Physics in 1972. Vincent was admitted to Sigma Pi Sigma, the national physics and astronomy honor society, which elects members on the basis of outstanding academic achievement. Vincent was admitted to Sigma Xi as an individual who showed noteworthy achievement as an original investigator in a field of pure or applied science. Vincent also obtained his United States Patent Agent License in 1997. To help understand the true breadth of his exceptional mind, Vincent’s thesis was entitled “Piezospectroscopy of Crystals: I. A Piezospectroscopic Study of Raman Spectrum of Alpha-Quartz; II. A determination of the Deformation Potential Constant of the Conduction Band of Silicon from the Piezospectroscopy of Donors”. The thesis is dedicated to Diana “for her selfless devotion to his academic endeavors” with a special thanks to his lifelong friend, W.P. Bennett, Jr. and his wife June “for their many kindnesses during the course of this work”.
After obtaining his Ph.D. Vincent became a Research Associate at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Massachusetts where he and Diana welcomed their first child Michael. Vincent went on to become an Assistant Professor in the Physics Department at the University of Illinois, Chicago, Illinois. While there, he and Diana welcomed four children, Peter, Jennifer, David and Paul.
Vincent joined Gould, Inc. in 1979 as a Staff Scientist at the Electrical and Electronic Research Laboratory in Chicago, Illinois. The early research work at the laboratory led to the formation of the Fiber Optics Division in 1983. Vincent led the Fiber Optics Division and served as the President and General Manager of the Fiber Optics Division, along with his former student and lifelong friend Douglas Moore, Ph.D. (and his wife Anne Moore) from its founding in Millersville, Maryland in 1985 until his semi-retirement in 2000 when he formed VeeTek, LLC his own consulting business servicing the fiber optics industry.
Vincent’s professional accomplishments were many. Vincent received the I-R-100 Award from Research and Development Magazine in 1982. Often called the “Oscars of Innovation” the award recognizes the 100 most technologically significant commercial products, technologies, and materials introduced globally each year, the Product Development Award in 1984 and the ISPE-Governor’s New Product Award in 1984. Vincent became a Fellow of the Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE) in 1989. Fellows represent the highest level of professional recognition in optics and photonics. This distinction honors individuals whose exceptional technical achievements and leadership have made a significant impact on the field and the broader scientific community. Later, in 1992, Vincent received the prestigious SPIE Aden and Marjorie Meinel Technology Achievement Award which is presented to those who demonstrate outstanding technical accomplishment in optics, electro-optics, photonic engineering, or imaging. Vincent became a Fellow of the Optical Society of America in 1996. Vincent was the author of over 40 publications in the general areas of light scattering, the optical properties of solids and fiber optics. Vincent was awarded ten patents on fiber optic sensors, sensor systems and components throughout the course of his career.
Vincent was a true renaissance man whose hobbies and passions included traveling the world for work, with Diana, and their many dear friends, cooking and entertaining for friends and family, reading, playing golf, bridge, card games with his grandchildren, cross word puzzles, listening to classical music and painting. Vincent used his gift of art to bless others. He always got a “kick” out of knowing that his art would hang in the homes of those lucky enough to receive a painting from him long after he passed.
In addition to his parents Vincent is preceded in death by his brother, Rev. Msgr. Terry J. Tekippe, brother Bernard “Bernie” Tekippe, sister Margaret Alphonso, brother Denis Tekippe and son Paul Tekippe.
Vincent is survived by his loving wife of sixty years Diana C. Tekippe, his four children, Michael Tekippe of Orlando, Florida; Peter Tekippe (Lauren) of Swansea, Massachusetts; Jennifer Lefler (Frank) of Annapolis, Maryland; David Tekippe (Megan) of Culpeper, Virginia; his nine grandchildren; Ashton Tekippe of Mount Dora, Florida; Aubrey and Natalie Tekippe of Swansea, Massachusetts; Midshipman Carl Lefler, USNA, Paul and Luke Lefler of Annapolis, Maryland; Owen, Olivia and Jude Tekippe of Culpeper, Virginia. One of Vincent’s greatest joys in life was relishing the successes of his children, their spouses and grandchildren.
Vincent is also survived by his brother, Charles Tekippe of Lake Charles, Louisiana; sister, Marcella “Marci” Malinsky of Richmond, Texas and brother Edward “Eddie” Tekippe (Jerri) of Ville Platte, Louisiana.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on August 21, 2026, at St. Timothy Roman Catholic Church 1351 Paige Place, Lady Lake Florida with a gathering immediately thereafter at Hiers-Baxley, 3975 Wedgewood Lane, the Villages, Florida.
Memorials may be given in memory of Dr. Vincent J. Tekippe to St. Vincent de Paul Society, St. Timohty Catholic Church, 1351 Paige Place, Bldg. D. Lady Lake Florida, 32159.
In lieu of flowers Diana has requested cards or notes to be mailed with shared memories for her to read and enjoy. Her address can be provided upon request from or sent directly to [email protected]