CEDAR RAPIDS -- William Whipple, a longtime Cedar Rapids civic leader and philanthropist, died Tuesday at Meth-Wick Community at the age of 96.

Whipple was president of the Hall-Perrine Foundation in 1981 when, after Cedar Rapids voters had voted down five bond referendums to finance a new public library, he announced a $6.8 million challenge grant.

The community, including school children contributing their pennies, raised $1.3 million to match the grant — the largest ever made by the foundation — and the city’s public library became a reality.

Friends and associates spoke about that kind of leadership and community involvement as they remembered Whipple.

“Bill Whipple has been a beacon of leadership to The Hall-Perrine Foundation for over 36 years,” said Jack Evans, president of the Hall-Perrine Foundation. “His example in life is a model we aspire to emulate. We will miss his keen insight, gentle grace and can-do spirit.”

Friends remembered Whipple for his integrity, modesty, and wit.

“He had an incredible ability to put you at ease,” said Coe College President James Phifer.

Whipple had been on the college’s board for nearly 30 years when Phifer arrived as dean of faculty, but was the first to make him feel welcome a s a member of the college community. He described Whipple as “one of the rocks that this college rested on.”

“He was a remarkable man,” Phifer said. “He had just ironclad integrity, and yet he was devoid of self-righteousness. He embraced life without judgement.”

Whipple was an agnostic who did not presume to know the powers that be or their will, Phifer said.

Phifer said Whipple’s agnosticism was an outgrowth of his character, which placed a high emphasis on integrity and despised arrogance. Whipple believed that it was arrogant to presume to know the powers that be or their will for mankind.

Jean Hunnicutt was the longtime partner of William Quarton, another civic leader who was best friends with Whipple. She said their frequent dinner conversations often included agnosticism and things that could be done to improve Cedar Rapids.

Whipple enjoyed reading about important leaders in history and collecting art, Hunnicutt said. Much of Whipple’s art collection was devoted to the works of Cedar Rapids-born artist Conger Metcalf.

“He was always a gentleman,” Hunnicutt said. “He had the highest standards of integrity and honesty.”

Whipple, a retired insurance executive, was the oldest surviving member of the original Meth-Wick Community board of directors. He played a key role in the completion of The Manor at Meth-Wick when funds ran out in 1960 as the building sat half finished.

Whipple, chairman of the Frank B. Hall Iowa insurance agency until he retired in 1974, was able to persuade Northwestern Mutual Insurance Co. in Milwaukee to loan the needed money.

Whipple was born on Nov. 1, 1913, in Cedar Rapids. He was educated in the Cedar Rapids public school system, graduating from Washington High School in January 1932.

Whipple continued his education at Coe College, graduating with honors in 1935 with a bachelor’s degree in commerce and finance. He captained the 1935 Midwest Conference Championship track team and ran the quarter mile for Coe in 1933, 1934 and 1935 at the Drake Relays.

After his retirement in 1974, Whipple was asked by his close friend, Cedar Rapids attorney Beall Perrine, to assist with the operation of the Hall-Perrine Foundation. Whipple became the first executive director in November 1974, managing the foundation’s operations from grant applications to investments.

Whipple was elected president in 1978 and was named chairman in 1996.

During his life, Whipple supported the arts, particularly artistic friends like Marvin Cone and Conger Metcalf. He was associated with many corporations and organizations, serving on the board of trustees at Coe College for 23 years, including three as chairman.

In 1996, Whipple received an honorary doctor of humane letters degree from Coe and was awarded the “Founder’s Medal” in 2001, the highest award granted by Coe.