Philip Reed Kiplinger, M.D.

Philip Reed Kiplinger, M.D. passed on his 82nd birthday in Apple Valley, California on June 20th, 2022.  Reed was born in Lake Charles, Louisiana where he lived a childhood full of wonder and adventure that would have made even Tom Sawyer jealous.  He attended college at LSU and LSU Medical School in New Orleans, and then did residencies in orthopedic surgery at the University of Tennessee, and then the University of Texas.

In 1972, after completing his residencies, he opened his own private practice in AppleValley, California where he became known for his kindness and healing.  He was often described by both community members and patients as a model of dignity and the best orthopedic surgeon.  Reed was one of the first doctors to do total hip and knee replacements, as well as performed the first arthroscopy surgery in Apple Valley, California.  Reed was a Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon and a member of The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgery, The Arthroscopy Association of North America, and The International Arthroscopy Organization.

In addition to his love for orthopedics, Reed was an explorer of the great outdoors and a star on the golf course.  He was a member of the Apple Valley Gun Club and spent much of his time traveling all over the country on hunting and fishing trips, so much so that his family only ate venison, trout, duck, veal, and geese for many years.  Reed was also an avid golfer, being a member of both the Apple Valley Country Club and the La Quinta Resort Golf Club, and often went golfing with his family, always taking time to teach his grandchildren the ways of the sport.  He was also a certified scuba diver and was known to frequent Hawaii, where he would explore the coral reefs.

To everyone who knew him, Reed was an inspiration.  He was a shining light in the desert that represented kindness and love and that fostered and grew many people.  Reed married his high school sweetheart, Karen, and they were happily married for fifty nine years.  Many would comment on their boundless and endless love and devotion for each other.  Normally, there is no handbook on how to live a good and noble life, but the people who knew Reed had such a handbook, as they had him and could learn from his example.

He is survived by his wife, Karen Kiplinger, and his daughters, Ashley Michelle Plauche (James Cardo) and Lisa Ann Kennedy (John Kennedy), as well as his grandchildren Tyler (Amanda), Hunter, Reed, and Sam.

A celebration of his life will be held at Sunset Hills Memorial Park 2400 Waalew Rd., Apple Valley, California on July 30th, at 11:00 AM.  It will be casual attire, and the family asks that, in lieu of flowers, to send a donation to your favorite charity.

To Reed, or Dundee to us, who now watches over all of us with the same kindness he held in life, thank you for your time on this earth, and we will all miss you dearly.  However, we know you are smiling, singing, and dancing with the angels now.