Rorey Hipps Obituary: Asheville NC Skateboarder, Push Skateshop Icon, and Bartender Dies; Community Mourns Loss.

A Heartbreaking Loss for Asheville

ASHEVILLE, NC – The Asheville, North Carolina community is mourning the reported passing of Rorey Hipps , a well-known skateboarder, bartender, and deeply valued local friend. News of his death has circulated through friends, local skate circles, and community members, many of whom have shared tributes highlighting his warmth, energy, and lasting impact on the vibrant mountain city.

Asheville, known for its artistic spirit, independent culture, and strong sense of community, has lost one of its own. Rorey Hipps was not just a face in the crowd. He was a fixture—someone you would see at the skate park, behind the bar pouring drinks with a smile, or simply hanging out with friends, making everyone around him feel welcome.

While details surrounding his passing have not been publicly released out of respect for the family’s privacy, what is abundantly clear is the profound void his death has left in the hearts of those who knew him. Friends, fellow skateboarders, bar patrons, and local business owners are all grappling with the loss of a man described as kind, generous, and full of life.

A Pillar of Asheville’s Skateboarding Scene

Rorey was widely recognized in Asheville’s skateboarding scene and was closely connected to Push Skateshop , where he was considered an important part of the local skate culture. Push Skateshop, located in downtown Asheville, has long been a hub for skaters of all ages—a place to buy gear, share stories, and build community. Rorey was at the heart of that community.

Friends describe him as not only a talented skateboarder but also someone who brought people together through his personality and generosity. He wasn’t the type to skate off by himself. He was the one cheering on beginners, offering tips to kids learning their first ollie, and celebrating when someone landed a trick they had been working on for weeks.

One fellow skater, speaking anonymously, said: “Rorey made skateboarding fun. Not competitive. Not intimidating. Just fun. He would show up at the park and suddenly everyone was smiling. That’s a rare gift.”

Another added: “Push Skateshop was his second home. He spent hours there—not just skating, but helping out, talking to kids, making sure everyone felt like they belonged. Asheville skating won’t be the same without him.”

The skateboarding community is tight-knit, and the loss of someone like Rorey Hipps reverberates far beyond Asheville. Skaters from surrounding areas—Charlotte, Greensboro, even Tennessee—have shared tributes online, recalling sessions with Rorey and the positive energy he brought to every gathering.

More Than a Skateboarder: A Friend to All

But Rorey Hipps was more than just a talented skateboarder. He was also a beloved bartender, working at local establishments where he became a familiar, friendly face to regulars and newcomers alike. Behind the bar, Rorey had a gift for making people feel at ease. He remembered your name, your drink order, and the stories you told him last week.

In Asheville’s bustling food and beverage scene, bartenders often become the heart of a neighborhood—the person you go to see as much as the place you go to drink. Rorey embodied that role perfectly. He wasn’t just pouring drinks; he was building community, one conversation at a time.

A regular customer who frequented the bar where Rorey worked shared: “I didn’t know Rorey outside of the bar, but he treated me like a friend every single time. He asked about my dog by name. He remembered my birthday. He made a dark room feel bright. I’m heartbroken.”

Another former coworker wrote: “Working a shift with Rorey was the best. He made the chaos fun. He had this energy that was contagious. Even on the busiest nights, he was smiling, joking, making sure everyone—customers and staff alike—was okay.”

The GoFundMe Campaign: A Family’s Love on Display

A statement shared via a GoFundMe campaign set up in connection with the family reflects the deep sense of loss felt by those closest to him. The campaign, organized by friends and family members, has already raised thousands of dollars to help cover funeral expenses and support the Hipps family during this devastating time.

The statement reads:

“Rorey and his family are some of the kindest people I’ve ever met. Their love for each other and their friends shines through in everything they do—they’re always smiling, ready to help, or up for an adventure. Rorey was a huge part of Push Skateshop, an amazing skateboarder, and a true friend to so many. His loss has left a huge hole in our local community, and so many of us are heartbroken.”

These words capture what so many have said in their own tributes: that Rorey Hipps came from a family of kindness, and that kindness radiated outward to everyone he met. The GoFundMe campaign has become a gathering place for memories and condolences, with donors leaving messages like “RIP Rorey, you will be missed” and “Thank you for everything you gave to Asheville.”

Tributes Pour In from Friends and Loved Ones

Those who knew him have described Rorey as someone who was constantly present for others—whether behind a bar, at a skate spot, or simply spending time with friends. His presence, they say, made a lasting impression on Asheville’s tight-knit creative and skateboarding community.

Social media has been flooded with tributes. Photos of Rorey skating, laughing, posing with friends, and simply enjoying life have been shared hundreds of times. One post read: “I don’t even know where to start. Rorey, you were one of the real ones. You showed up for everyone. You never made anyone feel left out. The world is darker without you in it.”

Another wrote: “Asheville lost a legend today. Rorey Hipps was the heart of the skate scene. He was the guy who would give you his last dollar if you needed it. He was the guy who would drive you home at 3 a.m. no questions asked. Rest easy, brother.”

A third, from a fellow bartender: “We worked doubles together. We complained about customers together. We laughed until we couldn’t breathe together. I can’t believe I won’t see you behind the bar again. Love you, Rorey.”

Push Skateshop: A Statement of Grief

While Push Skateshop has not yet released a formal public statement, the shop’s social media accounts have shared tributes and reposted messages from the community. The shop’s connection to Rorey Hipps runs deep—he was not just a customer or a casual presence. He was family.

Push Skateshop has long been more than a retail space. It is a gathering place, a sanctuary, a community center for skaters in Asheville. Rorey helped cultivate that atmosphere. He was there for shop events, for local competitions, for the quiet afternoons when a kid would wander in looking for their first board.

The shop is expected to host a memorial gathering or skate jam in Rorey’s honor, though details have not yet been announced. Such events are common in skate culture—a way to celebrate a fallen skater’s life by doing what they loved most.

The Asheville Community Responds

As tributes continue to emerge, friends and community members are sharing memories, photos, and messages of support for his family. Many are also contributing to fundraising efforts intended to help with expenses and support those closest to him during this difficult time.

Asheville is a city that prides itself on community. From its craft breweries to its music venues to its independent shops, the city thrives on human connection. The loss of Rorey Hipps has reminded everyone of how fragile that connection can be—and how important it is to cherish the people who make our lives brighter.

Local bars where Rorey worked have reportedly closed early on certain nights to allow staff to grieve together. Some have placed flowers and photos at his regular spot behind the bar. Others have held impromptu memorials where friends shared stories and toasted to his memory.

One local business owner said: “Rorey was the kind of person who made Asheville feel like Asheville. He was authentic. He was kind. He was everywhere and nowhere at the same time. You couldn’t imagine the city without him. And now we have to.”

Remembering the Person, Not Just the Skateboarder

Rorey Hipps is being remembered not only for his skills on a skateboard or his work behind the bar, but for the friendships he built and the positive energy he brought into the lives of many in Asheville.

Friends recall his laugh—loud, genuine, unmistakable. They recall his willingness to drop everything to help a friend in need. They recall his humility; despite being a talented skateboarder, he never acted like he was better than anyone else. He celebrated the successes of others as if they were his own.

One friend shared a story that has been repeated by many: “I was having the worst day of my life. Rorey showed up at my door with a six-pack and just sat with me. He didn’t try to fix anything. He just sat there. That’s who he was.”

Another wrote: “Rorey taught me how to skate. I was terrible. He never made fun of me. He just kept saying ‘you got this, keep trying.’ I finally landed a kickflip because of him. I’ll never forget that.”

Mental Health and Grief in the Skateboarding Community

The loss of a beloved community member like Rorey Hipps also raises important conversations about mental health and grief within action sports culture. Skateboarding has often been a refuge for those who feel like outsiders—a place where creativity, individuality, and perseverance are celebrated. But skaters are not immune to depression, anxiety, or the struggles that affect everyone.

Friends of Rorey have encouraged anyone who is struggling to reach out for help. The skateboarding community, for all its toughness, is also deeply caring. In the wake of his passing, many have shared mental health resources and reminded each other that it’s okay to not be okay.

If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline can be reached by calling or texting 988, available 24/7.

How to Honor Rorey Hipps’s Memory

For those wishing to honor Rorey Hipps , friends and family have suggested several meaningful actions:

· Contribute to the GoFundMe campaign to help the Hipps family with funeral expenses and other costs during this difficult time.
· Perform an act of kindness in Rorey’s name—buy a stranger a coffee, help someone carry their groceries, or simply check in on a friend you haven’t spoken to in a while.
· Go skate. Whether you’re a seasoned skater or a beginner, push some plywood in Rorey’s honor. Celebrate the joy he found in skateboarding.
· Support Push Skateshop , where Rorey spent so much of his time. Buy a deck, grab some stickers, and tell them you’re thinking of Rorey.
· Tip your bartender generously, and take a moment to appreciate the people who make your local spots feel like home.

A Final Farewell

Rorey Hipps was a skateboarder. A bartender. A friend. A son. A brother. A member of the Asheville community. He was all of these things, but more than anything, he was a person who made other people feel seen, valued, and loved.

His loss leaves a hole that cannot be filled. But his legacy—of kindness, of generosity, of showing up for others—will continue to inspire everyone who knew him.

Rest in peace, Rorey Hipps. You will be forever loved, deeply missed, and never forgotten. Keep skating, wherever you are.

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This article is based on preliminary information from community tributes, social media posts, and the GoFundMe campaign established by friends and family. Details may be updated as more information becomes available. The family has requested privacy during this difficult time, and we ask that readers respect their wishes.

To support the Hipps family, please visit the verified GoFundMe campaign linked through Push Skateshop’s official channels. If you are struggling with grief or mental health challenges, please reach out to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988.