Charlie Nipp remembers making the short walks down the railroad tracks as a boy with his parents to Coeur d'Alene's Fourth of July parade.

They never missed it.

"They were good days," Nipp said.

Even then, a young Charlie Nipp wondered something as he watched the colorful celebration passing by on Sherman Avenue.

"Who the grand marshal might be?"

This year, he doesn't need to wonder. He is well familiar with the name of the grand marshal: Charlie Nipp.

“Charlie embodies the values of courage, leadership and love for community that define this year's theme, Home of the Brave. His legacy of impact and service continues to inspire generations of Coeur d’Alene residents," said Linda Coppess, president and CEO of the Coeur d’Alene Regional Chamber. 

Nipp isn't convinced he deserves the honor.

"When asked, it was a total shock, surprised, not expected at all and then just humbled that I could be considered for such an honor," he said. "Our community has such a rich history of individuals committed to supporting this region, so there are so many, many deserving citizens of such an honor."

The Coeur d’Alene Regional Chamber on Friday announced that Nipp, partner at Parkwood Business Properties, was named the grand marshal of the chamber’s American Heroes Parade presented by Idaho Central Credit Union. 

The parade is scheduled 10 a.m. Friday, July 4, and is still on Sherman Avenue.

A lifelong resident of Coeur d’Alene, Nipp is a graduate of Coeur d’Alene High School’s Class of 1963, where he was the starting point guard on the state champion basketball team. 

He graduated from Whitworth College in 1967 with a degree in business administration, and received his master’s degree from Portland State University in 1971.

In 1975, Nipp co-founded Parkwood Business Properties, a Coeur d’Alene-based commercial real estate development and property management firm. 

"Under his leadership, Parkwood has grown into a cornerstone of the regional economy, developing and managing a broad portfolio of office, retail, medical, and tech-flex spaces across Coeur d’Alene, Hayden, and Post Falls," a press release said.

Nipp's legacy extends beyond the business world. 

He is past president of the Kootenai Medical Center Foundation, a director of the Idaho Youth Endowment Foundation, director for Life Center Northwest Donor Network based in Seattle and a director for the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture in Spokane.

Nipp has received numerous awards including induction into the State of Idaho Hall of Fame in 2001 and Citizen of the Year in 2000 for the Coeur d’Alene Chamber of Commerce.

He and his wife, Susan Nipp, author of the Mudgy and Millie children's books, have been married 56 years and have two sons, Ryan and Devin.

"Together, the Nipps have helped shape Coeur d’Alene’s enduring spirit of generosity and excellence," the release said.

Rick Rasmussen, Coeur d’Alene Regional Chamber board member, said Nipp is the epitome of servant leadership.

"He doesn’t just talk about community, he builds it," Rasmussen said. "His vision has transformed our region, and his heart for service has lifted countless lives. There is no one more deserving of this honor.” 

Nipp said he learned a lot about what true community is while growing up in Coeur d'Alene and watching the Fourth of July parades.

"We had such great role models and mentors to watch and engage with," he said. "To see our region continue to honor our region and country is remarkable."