P>March 22, 2011
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IOWA CITY, Iowa – – Former University of Iowa assistant baseball coach Ken Charipar passed away Monday night in Cedar Rapids. He was 80 years old.
Charipar was a Hawkeye assistant coach for 13 seasons under head coaches Duane Banks (1987-97) and Scott Broghamer (1998 and 2000).
“Ken meant so much to Iowa baseball,” Banks said. “Ken was such a great person. He was so good with our players. Ken never had a bad day; he was even-keeled all the time. Ken loved the game of baseball and being involved with the players. He truly was a special person.”
Charipar coached the Cedar Rapids American Legion team from 1972-80, after serving as an assistant the previous 11 years.
His teams won seven state tournaments and qualified for the World Series four times. His 1975 squad was national runner-up. Charipar also coached at the 1981 National Sports Festival.
Charipar played on two state championship teams (1947-48) at Cedar Rapids Wilson High School before playing in the Chicago Cubs’ organization.
His son, Brian, is a former Iowa baseball letterwinner (1980-83). Former Kansas City Royals pitcher and Hawkeye standout Mike Boddicker is his son-in-law.
The wake and funeral will both be held at St. Jude Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids. There will be a 3 p.m. Rosary followed by visitation and a service at 7 p.m. Friday. The funeral will take place Saturday at 10 a.m.