John F. Ripken
Director of St. Anthony Falls Laboratory 1975-1976

Dr. Ripken, a student of Lorenz Straub's in the early 1930's, was involved with the St. Anthony Falls Hydraulic Laboratory from its inception. In 1936 he started working with Straub on the design and preparation of plans for the building. As an Instructor in the Department of Mathematics and Mechanics, he also taught courses in fluid mechanics.

In 1946, after several years with the Navy in research and development during Word War II, Ripken returned to the University of Minnesota. He served as the Acting Director of the Laboratory from 1975-1977, retiring after 38 years of involvement with SAFL. Dr. Ripken passed away in 2004.