Remembering Clifton 'Tip' Mowrer: Dedicated Volunteer, Public Servant

Tip never missed a deadline in his 55 years as Class of 1953 correspondent for the Bulletin. He held many other roles over the years, including class vice president for more than a decade, visitors’ desk volunteer for 18 years, and member of the Senior Alumni Council for 17 years. Tip was a frequent Phonathon caller, encouraging his large network of classmates to donate to and get involved with their alma mater. For more than 30 years, Tip and his wife, Barbara, contributed to the Lehigh Fund.

“Tip taught me what the Lehigh family means,” said Jessi McMullan ’05, class notes editor for the Bulletin. “He demonstrated the value of our bonds with our classmates and the university through his actions working to plan mini-Reunions with his classmates every year and his words as class correspondent.”

In an oral history recorded in 2013, Tip recalled the day he left Lehigh after graduating with a Bachelor of Science in business in 1953. He looked back at the campus, sadly, and thought, “‘Well, that’s it. I’m gone.’ Little did I know how involved I would be!”

In recognition of his dedication to his alma mater, Tip received the Alumni Award in 1998 for continued support of the university, directing talented students to Lehigh, and contributing significantly to his community. In 2010, he received the George F.A. Stutz ’22 Award, presented to a senior alumnus for lifelong leadership and service in diverse roles within the Lehigh community.

The Bethlehem native entered the Army after graduation, serving during the Korean War. After being honorably discharged, Tip studied milk processing at Pennsylvania State University and joined his family’s dairy and ice cream business until it was sold. He then joined the insurance industry, becoming a partner in the Hampson Mowrer Kreitz Insurance Agency until his retirement after 35 years.

A firm believer in the value of education, Tip served on the boards of the Bethlehem Area School District and the Bethlehem Vocational-Technical School. He was an inaugural member of the Board of Trustees responsible for the formation of Northampton Community College.

Tip’s community service also included roles with the Bethlehem Water Authority and Bethlehem Rotary Club.

Tip and Barbara enjoyed traveling, and he loved to wear his Lehigh gear and meet fellow alumni all over the world. The couple were married for more than 60 years until her passing. He is survived by his children, sons Jeffrey and Andrew ’95G and daughter Susan Mowrer Benda, their spouses, and three grandchildren.

Tip will be dearly missed by his friends on the Lehigh staff, as well as his classmates.

“I have wonderful memories over many years about Tip,” said friend and classmate Joe Workman ’53. “They are best summarized by the word ‘dedication.’ His death is a great loss to me and to our class. I was humbled to have been asked, at his direction, to attend the small family-only gathering and graveside service. Tip was wearing his Lehigh tie.”

Story by Cynthia Tintorri