Kip grew up in the Washington, D.C. area, and moved to Denver, Colorado, while in high school. She and her husband, Ron, were high school sweethearts and maintained their long distance relationship while he attended the U.S. Naval Academy and she attended the University of Colorado. Kip graduated with a degree in Psychology and the next week she and Ron were married in the Academy chapel the very day he graduated from Annapolis.
When people ask her about a favorite duty station, it becomes difficult to choose between Greece, San Diego, Monterey, Newport, New York City or Pearl Harbor! Their son will say that it was definitely living in Hawaii! James, their pride and joy and only child, works for a government agency in Washington, DC.
Kip was actively engaged through the years with spouse organizations, spouse education, and the families in all of Ron's commands. She volunteered enthusiastically with many Navy organizations over the years, but spent the majority of her time as a Flag spouse with Naval Services FamilyLine, a non-profit organization that provides Navy spouse education and resource information. Along with leading that organization for three years, she was concurrently appointed by the Chief of Naval Operations to act as his Ombudsman-at-Large, advising him on matters affecting Sailors and their families. For her years of volunteerism, she received the Navy Distinguished Public Service Award from the Secretary of the Navy in 2007.
In 2013, the Navy requested the services of VADM (retired!) Route to be the President of the Naval Postgraduate School. Kip was once again back in the middle of military life and fully engaged in military spouse activities. After 6 years, Ron retired-retired, and the Routes decided to make Monterey home. Kip continues to teach ESL to the international spouses, and plays the flute with the school's band.
Kip is proud to be on the Board of Directors for Navy Safe Harbor Foundation, supporting the Navy's lead organization for coordinating the non-medical care of wounded, ill and injured Sailors, Coast Guardsmen, and their families. She is also a facilitator at the National Defense University’s CAPSTONE course for spouses of new one-star flag and general officers.