It is with a heavy heart that I find myself having to write this. I found out yesterday that a very good friend of mine and also to many GPA people around the world, that Vic Tipman has passed away. I spoke with Vic’s daughter last evening for about 20 minutes about his sudden passing just a couple days ago. He’d had some eye surgery back in early December and that had went very well. He and his wife were together and he just slumped over. I’ve known Vic for several years, but never really meeting him in person. We chatted by e-mail very often about many of the same things we both enjoyed in life, family, fishing, his love for skeet shooting and of course lanterns. I first meet Vic from e-bay and started bidding on lanterns that he had refurbished and sold on the bay. Now I must have about 15 or so of the Handi Lanterns. I would also get other brands that we don’t see many of over here and he’d pick some out of his collection and make sure they were the cream of the crop and add in with one of my next shipments. He could really pack a lantern in a small box and everything would always arrive in perfect condition. I was able to find and locate Coleman parts and globes for him that he couldn’t get there. Vic was a retired law officer that had retired several years ago. Vic had always had his hand in lanterns on the side like so many of us do. He had bought out the leavings of the Handi Works in Australia around 1997. So had a lot of parts that were left over from back when they were producing the Handi Kero Pet lanterns. He was always so free with information on servicing the lanterns and when I needed a spare part, they were always stuffed in with the next shipment. Even when I’d ask about a spare part for others here in the US, he’d gladly send them to me to pass along to whoever needed them for free. He was just that kind of guy. He had so much history about Handi that is now lost. I should be receiving more information on his funeral and his Obit in the near future and I’ll be happy to past that information on to the many friends that he’s touched in one way or another. If you can, light a lantern for Vic.
I’m so sad to hear this. Vic bought a few Tilley bits and pieces off me over the years and we occasionally exchanged messages. He was always appreciative of anything I sent him. Be happy to light a lantern for him.
Yes. It’s very sad. Vic and I have had many discussions over the years, and I’ve bought more than a fair share of items from him. Quite recently we were discussing early Handi lanterns and their connection with AGM. I sent him a very good condition nickelled AGM tank for him to replace one on an old Handi and we got into a long discussion about early Australian lamps and lanterns. Always up for a good chat, Vic! My sincere condolences to his family. Tony
Sad news. I have three or four lanterns from Vic, a very nice guy to deal with. My condolences to his family.
Team Buggerlugs is sorry to hear that. Hear is a Kayen Ap2 for Vic. Our prayers go out to the family and friends.
Sad to hear this and my condolences to his family. I have similar stories to those already posted and had purchased many things from him over a few years. I spotted his name in the PLC acknowledgements and realised he had been around for a while. In December 2022 out of the blue I had a phone call from him and we had a good chat about various things including some mantles he had acquired from a shop in Longreach. Always a loss to the lantern community when someone with his interest, enthusiasm and experience passes on. RIP
Thats Sad, I have not been on here for a while and saw this post. Vic Tipman got my handi lantern up and running with free parts posted for nothing! A true gent. RIP
