Doris S. Van Riper

Doris S. Van Riper

April 26, 1938- May 15, 2022

                Doris, the only child of Frank and Marie Scheuplein was raised in Bayside Queens. Her early life revolved around church activity at All Saints Episcopal Church, Bayside. She taught Sunday School, sang in the choir and was active in the youth group. Doris also enjoyed sailing on Little Neck Bay. She was 15 when the boat was becalmed and some boys took the girls for a ride on their power boat. Disaster was averted when she felt led to move from sitting atop the inboard/outboard engine and move to the bow. When the engine blew and fire broke out she swam through water that was ablaze and rescued her friends.

                Doris aspired to a career in nursing and entered training at Flushing Hospital. When she met the handsome real estate man, Tom Van Riper she had to choose between nursing and marriage. The adventure of life with Tom began with the dream of many children and boating. As Tom’s business, Van Riper Real Estate grew into a success, the children came along: Penny, Peggy, Andy and Pam. In the early days the family lived in Commack in one of the old Burr houses. Family fun included fabulous holiday celebrations with grandparents and cousins, swimming in the pool, exploring the woods and watching a new development go up next door. Tom embarked on the adventure of learning to fly in the early 1960’s. Soon Doris was taking lessons too. They both earned their pilot’s licenses. An attempted family outing to Hershey Pennsylvania by plane ended when a piston went through a block and the engine seized. Doris played a key role in choosing the emergency landing spot-Nassau Community College -which was once Mitchell Air Force Base.

 In 1973, the family moved to their beach house in Northport. Now family fun would be all about boating. First came the small boats- a minifish, a 15 foot Boston Whaler, and a 17 foot MFG. Later came their cabin cruiser, a 42 foot Matthews named “The Flying Dutchman”. The family enjoyed cruising New York Harbor for Op Sail 1976 and traveling to ports that included Mystic, Block Island, Martha’s Vineyard and Newport. Doris studied Chapman’s, the boater’s Bible and was mentored by an old salt who helped her to become an accomplished mariner. As their children grew up and left home, Doris and Tom continued their cruising, now mostly with friends. Doris’s love for people, warm hospitality and loving friendship made the Flying Dutchman a very special place for everyone who came aboard.

In 1996, Tom passed away. At 58 and deep in mourning, Doris began her life anew. She got a job and an apartment. She took trips to Georgia to be with beloved cousins. Nourishing friendships saw her through her grief. She enjoyed the children she cared for. Some years passed before she met up with the gentleman who used to be the family’s house painter.  Soon, they were a couple- Doris Van Riper and Fred James, delighting in sharing life together. After his passing Doris enjoyed time with her daughter Penny, her husband James and their son Jonathan. Covid made it possible for her to attend worship, prayer meetings, and Bible studies at St. James UMC Lynbrook by telephone. She spent much of her time in prayer.

Doris will be missed by many and remembered for her sweet spirit, positive attitude and loving nature. Thanks be to God for the gift of Doris Van Riper.

In Lieu of Flowers Donations would be appreciated in Doris's name to Quinipet Camp and Retreat Center: Sailing Program P.O. Box 549 Shelter Island Heights, N.Y. 11965

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