Jeffrey Michael Tipp | May 29, 1947 – July 31, 2025

Jeff Tipp, beloved husband, father, teacher, builder, and friend, passed away peacefully in his home in Sebastopol, CA, on July 31, 2025, with his wife and son at his side, at the age of 78.

Born May 29, 1947, in Seattle, Washington, Jeff was known for his kindness, humility, and spiritual wisdom. Over his life he followed many callings – as a chef, a builder, a psychotherapist, a spiritual seeker across many traditions and later a teacher of Zen Buddhism – in each, he touched lives with generosity and clarity.

Jeff began his career as a chef and had the honor of cooking at the 1973 Summer Olympics. In the mid-1970s, he met Zen Master Seung Sahn and helped establish the Blue Heron Zen Community in Seattle following the Korean Kwan Um School traditions. In 2006, he became its first Zen Master, or authorized teacher, after receiving Inka from Zen Master Ji Bong. Jeff went on to guide hundreds of students in Seattle and Los Angeles.

Alongside his teaching, Jeff designed and built custom homes primarily on Vashon Island where he raised his son, Nicolas, with his first wife, Francie Allen. He also built homes in Seattle, California and Colorado; contributing to Tara Mandala Buddhist Center, also in Colorado, where he built the first retreat cabin and a staff housing building.

In his late 50s, Jeff closed down his construction business and began a second career as a psychotherapist, offering warmth and insight to his clients. He was happily married to his beloved wife Roberta in 2009. Together they taught workshops on “Relationship as a Spiritual Path,” co-lead therapy sessions and shared a love of adventure and travel.

Jeff is survived by his wife, Roberta Godbe-Tipp; his son, Nicolas Tipp; his sister, Deborah Hauck; his extended family; and his various grandchildren, Yael Amia Godbe, Liam and Noah Archibald, James Szanto, and Simone Schmeiser.

A Celebration of Life will take place on Saturday, June 6, at 2pm in Vashon Island, Washington.