Born in Lebanon, Missouri on April 3, 1938,[1] Whipple received an Artium Baccalaureus degree from Drury University in 1961 and a Juris Doctor from the University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Law in 1965.

[2] On September 14, 1987, Whipple was nominated by President Ronald Reagan to a seat on the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri vacated by Judge Ross Thompson Roberts.

Whipple was confirmed by the United States Senate on December 8, 1987, and received his commission the following day.

He served as Chief Judge from 2000 to 2007, assuming senior status on April 30, 2007.

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