Brian R. Hipskind

                Brian R. Hipskind, 50, of South Bend passed away Sunday, April 11 at Memorial Hospital of South Bend.  He was born July 20, 1970 in South Bend, Indiana to the late Robert C. Hipskind and Kathryn (McLaughlin) Hipskind.  Brian grew up in Lakeville, graduated from LaVille Jr Sr High School, and moved to the South Bend area in his young adulthood. 

                Brian is survived by his mother, Kathryn Hipskind, his sister, Jennifer (Anthony) Mull; his brother, Collin (Christina Bolinger) Hipskind; and one brother-in-law and best friend, Miguel Oviedo; fourteen nieces and nephews; six great-nieces and nephews; former wife and friend, Cecilia Hipskind; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.  He is preceded by his grandparents, his father and one sister, Melinda Oviedo. He is also survived by his kitten named Freia.
 

One of the most amazing things about Brian was his pure genius. He struggled with the traditional educational system, but was one of the most intelligent, educated, and fascinating people you could ever hope to meet. He began his IT career in 1994 working for Best Buy and was sought after as a consultant because of his unmatched ability to problem-solve. He moved his career to AM General where he held four positions over twenty years: PC Technician, Security Analyst, Network Engineer, and IT Systems Engineer. His career culminated in his dream job as a Cloud Network Solutions Architect at South Bend Clinic which he just attained last June and enjoyed for a short time. For all of this, he was completely self- educated. No one could do what he could do the way he did it. He was unique.

To know Brian was to have him try to know you. He was many things to many people and that gift came from his desire to understand the people in his life. He always seemed to have something to talk about and always sought a connection. He tried to fit, not fit in, but to fit within, an unappreciated gift. His sense of humor was a treasure showing us his compassion and the brilliance that was his mind. We may think ourselves eccentric, and Brian perhaps did, too, and there are other words for it: eclectic, diverse, different, unique. They all seemed to describe this remarkable son, brother, husband, friend, co-worker, traveler and irreplaceable, but humble person.

He loved his work, making his music, or crafting the perfect gourmet pizza. He loved being with family and friends, his weekly "Meeting of the Minds," having a drink with friends, playing D&D, and playing with his cats. Brian loved Star Wars-- talking about it, watching it, listening to it. Proud of his nerdy heritage, always ready to discuss some esoteric aspect of science or science fiction, Tolkien or Harry Potter, the weather, or cars, he was someone anyone could talk to and he would listen. He was Brian and we will miss him very dearly.

                Friends may visit with the family at the Palmer Community Complex, 601 N. Michigan St, Lakeville, IN on Thursday, April 29 from 4:00-6:00 PM. The rosary will be said at 6PM.

 A Mass of Christian Burial will be Celebrated on Friday, April 30 at 10:00 AM at St. Matthew Cathedral 1701 Miami Street South Bend, IN 46613 with the internment following the Mass at Southlawn Cemetery 61300 US-31 S, South Bend, IN 46614. Contributions in memory of Brian may be made to St. Matthew Cathedral.

Online condolences can be sent to the family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.