Relatives from Nevada, Idaho, both ends of California and some local friends joined together to help Robert and Marielore Hippenstiel celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary on May 26. A limousine took them to a wonderful dinner at La Strada Restaurant. This was followed by a cake and a Champagne toast at their home with friends. The evening was capped by the surprise of a wonderful DVD on the story of their lives, produced by their son-in-law, David Anderson. Catherine McLarand, their little flower girl of 60 years ago, was in attendance.

Marielore was born and raised in Vermont. After high school, she trained in the Fanny Allen School of Nursing and became a registered nurse. With World War II starting, she joined the U.S. Army Nurse Corps, received her commission and was assigned to the 55th General Hospital. They served in England and the European Theater from before D-Day to war's end. Having met when still in service, Marielore, at Robert's request, moved in 1946 from Vermont to California. They were married the next year, and in those early years, Marielore worked at raising their four daughters. With the family in Napa and the girls raised, Marielore returned to nursing. She worked at the Napa State Hospital for a time, then for 16 years at the Veterans State Hospital in Yountville. Marielore retired from the state of California as a registered nurse in 1983 to enjoy her family, travel and work in her garden.

Robert was born and raised in Southern California, but spent many summers on vacation with family in Napa. Robert's college career was interrupted by World War II. He joined the U.S. Army Air Corp and, after training in flight tactics, received his commission. With further training in the B-26 Marauder Medium Bomber, he was sent to England and the European Theater of Operation, where he was assigned to the 9th Air Force, 322nd Bomb Group, 449th Bomb Squadron, to fly bombing missions against the enemy. Robert met 1st Lt. Marielore SteMarie in Brussels, Belgium, while both were on leave. Something clicked between the two like in an Audrey Hepburn movie. After release from military service and returning home, Robert convinced Marielore to move from Vermont to California. They were married May 27, 1947, at St. Anthony's Church, San Gabriel. After a time in Washington, Robert moved his family to Napa in 1953. They were members of St. John's Catholic Church, helped establish St. Apollinaris and then St. Thomas Aquinas, where he is still active. Robert coached the St. John's School baseball team to play hardball in the old Twilight League. He remains active in SIR Branch #65 and the Native Sons of the Golden West. Robert worked at Mare Island Naval Shipyard in the engineering department for 32 years. He retired from Mare Island in 1981 and then spent 10 years as a consultant at the Sperry Corporation in Benicia. In retirement, Robert was travel chairman many years for SIR #65. Robert and Marielore made many friends as they escorted groups on happy tours.

Robert and Marielore are the parents of Colleen Steiner of Grants Pass, Ore.; Patricia Kiser of Redding; Kathleen Anderson of Redding; and Denise Robinson of Green Bay, Wis. They have five grandchildren, Marnie, Valorie, Nathan, Nicolas and Louis; and two great-grandchildren, Madison and Olivia.