Palmetto Peace Corps volunteer reportedly died of aneurysm

MANATEE -- The Palmetto Peace Corps volunteer who died while visiting Tanzania succumbed to a heart condition, according to his family.

David Ripley, 29, a trained paramedic who was assigned to work in Rwanda, died Tuesday from an aneurysm, his father, Bruce Ripley, said Saturday.

"They said it was a weak spot in his arteries," he said. "It was out of clear blue."

The news came to a shock to the family; David Ripley had never demonstrated issues with his heart.

His son had been in Tanzania visiting with the Peace Corps, Bruce Ripley.

"It was a little bit of vacation and a little bit of meetings," he said. "I think they like to take them to fun places."

His son would describe his good fortune to his father in an unique manner, Bruce Ripley recalled.

"He was one of the lucky ones; he had a bathroom," he said.

Now the family is gathering with friends and awaiting the arrival of David Ripley's girlfriend, also a Peace Corps volunteer in Rwanda, and a representative from the Peace Corps in Washington, D.C. They are expected to all gather Monday to finalize memorial services.

The service will be Saturday, someplace local, Bruce Ripley said.

Meanwhile, his family has been overwhelmed with the outpouring of love and support from family, friends and the community, he said.

"He's touched so many lives," Bruce Ripley said of his son. "What he accomplished in five to seven months, he ran circles."

He made all his friends dream bigger, he added.

Now those closest to him want to make sure the good work he started is completed.

In order to do so, the Peace Corps has set up the David Ripley Memorial Fund. Bruce Ripley said David's girlfriend plans to return to Rwanda to finish his projects, and he is asking that, in lieu of flowers, people donate to the fund.

All donations to the David Ripley Memorial Fund will support approved Peace Corps Partnership Program projects which focus on health in Rwanda.

For more information about the David Ripley Memorial fund or to donate, visit the web site https://beta.peacecorps.gov/donate/fund/david-ripley-memorial-fund.

Jessica De Leon, Herald law enforcement reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7049. You can follow her on Twitter @JDeLeon1012.

This story was originally published April 5, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Palmetto Peace Corps volunteer reportedly died of aneurysm ."