Rip Van Who?: Oregon man enjoys famous name
The Associated Press

March 15, 2009
The Associated Press • March 15, 2009


Buzz up! CORVALLIS — An Oregon man says people usually think he’s joking when he introduces himself as Rip Van Winkle.
But that’s the name on his birth certificate. Really.



Van Winkle told the Corvallis Gazette Times that his father and grandfather were nicknamed Rip, but his dad made things official for his son, figuring the nickname would eventually stick to him too.
Now, he has a little fun with it.
“I went to the doctor’s office,” the 37-year-old contractor said. “My name is Rip Van Winkle, and I can’t sleep.”
He owns and operates Rip Van Winkle Residential Contract and Repair, and prides himself on being able to fix almost anything.
Van Winkle says he often tells clients to make repairs rather than buy a replacement. People in Corvallis are into sustainability, so they’re more likely to fix things, he said.
“Society is becoming too disposable,” Van Winkle said.
He moved to Corvallis last October with his partner, Kari Whitacre. They have been together for more than a year, but were previously living separately in Eastern Oregon.
They said the move came partly because Whitacre, who Van Winkle met through an online dating service, found a job as the development director for Community Outreach.
Whitacre has three daughters ranging from 6 to 13, and Van Winkle has a 3-year-old daughter from a previous marriage.
Although the youngest daughter bears the Van Winkle name, along with his sister, Mariah Van Winkle, an Oregon State University student, it is Rip that bears the brunt of all the bad jokes and skeptical reactions over the years, including bets that it isn’t his real name.
But Van Winkle says he wouldn’t change it.
“It’s cool, because you get a chance to be yourself,” he said. “How many Rip Van Winkles do you meet?”

I hope he's well rested lol