Henry Tippie

Henry B. Tippie, a businessman who started a long career in corporate leadership on the sands of Delaware’s beaches and was one of the forces behind the former Dover Motorsports, bringing NASCAR to Kent County, died Sunday February 20 2022 at age 95. Tippie was well-known for being one of the longest-serving executives of Rollins Inc., a global consumer and commercial services company that is valued at $2 billion today. He served as chairman of the board for Dover Motorsports Inc. and Dover Downs Gaming and Entertainment Inc., both known as Dover Downs Entertainment Inc. until 2002. He graduated with a degree in accounting from University of Iowa. Tippie spearheaded Rollins buying out Orkin Exterminating Company for $60 million in 1964. Tippie joined the Dover Motorsports board of directors in 1996, and became chairman after John Rollins died in 2000. After living in Delaware for more than a decade, he and his wife, Patricia, moved to Austin, Texas, where he owned a 33,000-acre ranch. Tippie retired from Rollins Inc. in April 2021 after working with the Rollins family for 68 years. He donated $30 million in 1999 to the University of Iowa which renamed its business college Tippie College of Business in his honor. Tippie died at his home in Austin. He and his wife Patricia, had three children: Henry II, Linda and Helen.