This Wyoming native was reared in San Bernardino and moved to Fresno in 1959. Hippenstiel played tennis for fifty-five years, including three at the University of California during a span when the Golden Bears never lost to rivals, UCLA and Stanford.

His personal resume is highlighted by thirteen national tennis championships, including ten senior men’s doubles titles. He and his son, Gary, won the National Father-son Championship in 1969. Hippenstiel and his brother, Clyde, were the second-ranked doubles team in Northern California. In his collegiate days, he played on the Southern California Junior Davis Cup team with future great Jack Kramer. From 1966 through 1969, he was ranked in the Northern California Senior Top 10 singles and five times was #1 in doubles.

Hippenstiel accomplished all of his senior triumphs despite a series of injuries that would have caused a less-dedicated person to quit. During a short span of years, he even was forced to Switch from being a right-handed player to using his left hand. He helped establish the Fig Garden Swim & Racquet Club where he served as the tennis director as well as the teaching professional.