In Rememberance: Gordon L. Kipling and Janet Runge Kipling

Gordon Kipling ’65 and Janet Runge Kipling ’64
Credit: Courtesy of Maggie Hill-Kipling

Gordon Kipling ’65 and Janet Runge Kipling ’64 were married in the balcony of Eaton Chapel on the Saturday before final exams of his senior year. Gordon, among the first generation of his family to attend college, married into a Beloit College family that included Janet’s parents, Nathan and Anne Spalding Runge, class of 1937, her grandfather, Francis P. Runge (1906), and stepgrandmother, Mabel Wade Runge (1912). Janet’s brother, Phil Runge ’60, his wife Marj Runge ’60, and Anne Spalding Runge’s stepmother, Grace Watner Spalding (1910), were also alumni. All three of Gordon and Janet’s children — Vicki Kipling Dunn ’91, Kate Kipling ’93, and Maggie Hill-Kipling ’98 — graduated from the college, and Vicki met her husband, Bill Dunn ’91, there.

Gordon grew up in Naperville, Illinois, and spent his early years reading books and cheering for the Chicago Cubs. At Beloit, he co-edited the literary magazine Satyr and was president of the Beloit College Players. He was involved in the Court Theatre, acting, writing plays, building sets, and serving as its technical director in the summer after graduation, while Janet managed the box office.

Janet was born in Milwaukee and grew up in Niles, Michigan, and West Bend, Wisconsin. In high school, she went to Finland as an exchange student, which led to her host family sending their daughter to Beloit College. Janet joined Kappa Delta sorority at Beloit, where she was an art major under Franklin Boggs and O.V. “Verne” Shaffer ’50. She taught art in Evanston, Illinois, after her graduation, until her children were born, while Gordon worked on his doctorate at the University of Chicago.

They moved to Los Angeles when Gordon joined the faculty at UCLA, where he taught English literature for 42 years and became a renowned scholar of medieval drama. He received a Guggenheim Fellowship and a Fulbright Scholarship, which launched their family into living abroad, including a year in the Netherlands and several years in the U.K. The family traveled on canal boats through the British countryside and throughout Europe to see ancient ruins, castles, and cathedrals.

Gordon’s professional life was marked by a passion for research and teaching. Janet’s reflected her varied interests and flexible nature. She became involved in archaeology in the U.K., working on excavations in St. Albans. She earned a postgraduate certificate in archaeology at UCLA and worked on historic and prehistoric sites in Los Angeles before deciding that she enjoyed archaeology too much to make a career of it. Janet served as a church administrator for many years.

In 2011, after their retirements, the couple moved from Los Angeles to Minneapolis to be near their grandchildren and the Guthrie Theater. They were avid theater-goers and supporters of the arts and local restaurants. Gordon continued his research and writing and enjoyed playing chess online. Janet returned to her artistic pursuits, primarily drawing and watercolor.

They continued traveling, attending medieval studies conferences, and exploring the world. Janet always said that Gordon never felt at ease without at least one trip already booked. Though they were proud of their children’s achievements, the only things they truly required of them were jobs with health insurance and fidelity to the Chicago Cubs. They both surely rest easier having seen the Cubs win the World Series in 2016.

Gordon and Janet were married for 60 years and lived a life rich in love and adventure. Gordon passed away at 82 on July 24, 2025, surrounded by his family at their home in Minneapolis. Six months later, on Jan. 25, 2026, Janet passed away unexpectedly at 84. They are survived by their three daughters, Vicki Dunn (Bill), Kate Kipling (Bethany Faith), and Maggie Hill-Kipling (Brian), and six grandchildren.