Henderson dad shares experience: ‘I wouldn’t trade fatherhood for anything’

As Henderson resident Ronnie Hippert takes a seat on his couch, his daughters Gracie, 9, and 7-year-old twins Chloe and Madison, race to him like magnets, creating a dog pile of giggles and laughter across his lap.

A smile beams across Hippert’s face as he wraps his arms around the girls, bringing them in closer for a bear hug.

“I never saw myself as a family man, but now that I am, I would never have it any other way,” Hippert said. “Probably a lot of people say that, but it’s the truth. It’s amazing.”

A California transplant, Hippert frequently visited his father, who lived in the Las Vegas Valley, before making the move himself in 2001.

He began his career as an electrician for St. Rose Dominican Hospitals, where he met his wife Katie. The couple became pregnant with Gracie after dating for about 18 months.

“I was kind of shocked because I wasn’t expecting to get pregnant, but I felt blessed because I definitely wanted her,” Katie said. “We were excited and nervous at the same time.”

However, the Hipperts’ introduction to parenthood was unlike most. At birth, Gracie was diagnosed with bladder exstrophy, a condition where the bladder protrudes through the abdominal wall.

Over the years, the family has made several trips to Johns Hopkins Children’s Center in Baltimore for surgeries and treatments; however, Gracie’s medical journey didn’t discourage the couple from having more children. Two years after Gracie, Katie gave birth to healthy twin daughters, Chloe and Madison.

“It has definitely been an eye-opener that there’s more to life than just yourself,” Hippert said. “It forced me to grow up in a way that I’m so thankful for my wife for giving me my daughters and going through everything with me.”

As Gracie’s condition stabilized, the Hipperts began taking advantage of family outings and vacations. They went camping at Mount Charleston and visited Disneyland.

“To me, it felt like someone just pulled the wool off my eyes and said, ‘OK, life starts now,’ ” Hippert said. “A whole new world opened up, and we were actually able to do things together as a family.”

Not one to sit still, Hippert enjoys taking his family fishing, boating and camping. They also bond while watching Las Vegas 51s games and attending races at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

“As soon as he gets home from work, he takes (the girls) somewhere or does something with them,” Katie said. “It’s something I truly appreciate. When I look at him, I just think, ‘We’re all so blessed to have him.’ ”

Happily living for his family, Hippert said he has only one regret.

“I wish I would have started (having children) sooner,” he said. “I wish I could have more and do more without having to work. At the end of the day, these kids are the reason I’m here, and I wouldn’t trade fatherhood for anything.”

To reach Henderson View reporter Caitlyn Belcher, email cbelcher@viewnews.com or call 702-383-0403. Find her on twitter: @caitlynbelcher.