He is a noted Astrophotographer who uses cold camera photography for his work and has previously taught Creative Photography and Darkroom Techniques for 5 years at the Miami-Dade Community College in Miami, Florida.

Tippy is the founder of the Winter Star Party which is sponsored by the Southern Cross Astronomical Society and has been the Chairman of that star party for thirteen of its nineteen years. He is also a frequent guest speaker and has lectured on Astronomy at Universities, High Schools, Astronomy Clubs and Civic Groups as well as at State and National Parks.

He has been a guest speaker at the Winter Star Party in Florida on nineteen different occasions and has also been a guest speaker at events such as the Texas Star Party in Texas, Mt. Kobau Star Party in British Columbia, Southern Star Conference in North Carolina, Hidden Hollow Astronomy Convention in Ohio, Peach State Star Gaze in Georgia, Starfest Convention in Toronto, Highlands Star Gaze in Florida, Nebraska Star Party, in Nebraska and Astronomy Day Conferences in Columbus, Georgia as well as Miami and Jacksonville, Florida.

In 1987 & 1988 he was awarded the Southern Cross Astronomical Societies "Joe T. Doris Service Award for Outstanding Contribution".

In December of 1992 he was honored with a Lifetime Membership to the Southern Cross Astronomical Society for Meritorious Service to that Society. Only six such awards have been given since 1922.

In 1994 he was invited to attend the 2nd Annual Congress of Central American Astronomers in San Salvador, El Salvador, and was an invited speaker at the 4th Annual Congress of Central American Astronomers held in Guatemala City, Guatemala in 1996.

In January 2001, Tippy received recognition for his contributions to amateur astronomy, as he was honored by the International Astronomical Union, when an asteroid was given the name "11378 D'Auria."

On April 2001, Tippy led an expedition to the Volcanoes of Costa Rica, to film a National Geographic documentary called "The Volcano Hunters".

He is also the author of numerous articles and papers. He has contributed to the section on darkroom techniques for the book "Introduction to Observing and Photographing the Solar System", by Thomas A. Dobbins, Donald C. Parker, and Charles F. Capen. Tippy also has co-authored, with Vic Menard, the definitive book on telescope collimation, titled, "Perspectives on Collimation - Principles and Procedures".

Tippy is also an Amateur Telescope Maker who has several instruments, consisting of sizes in 2", 4-1/2", 6", 10", 12", and 18" sizes. His main astronomical interests are Astrophotography, Deep Sky Observing, Solar System Observing, and enjoys exploring and photographing active volcanoes as well, and is a member of the International Volcano Watch Team.