Rorey Hipps, Asheville, NC, Obituary, Death: In Loving Memory Of Skateshop Skater Rorey Hipps

Rorey Hipps was the kind of person who naturally became the heart of any community he was part of. In Asheville’s close skateboarding circle, most people knew him affectionately as “Mark Smallberg,” a nickname that reflected the deep friendships and shared memories he built over the years. His recent passing has left many struggling to process the loss of someone who meant so much to so many people.

Asheville, North Carolina, is widely known for its creativity, individuality, and strong sense of community, and Rorey embodied all of those qualities effortlessly. He was a familiar face at PUSH Skateshop and also worked as a bartender at Barksdale, two places that served as social hubs for locals. Whether he was skating during the day or serving drinks at night, he had a way of making everyone around him feel comfortable and included.

Friends remember him as someone who carried constant positivity. Many described him as the type of person whose smile could instantly change the mood of a room. At the skatepark, beginners and experienced skaters were treated with the same kindness and encouragement. Behind the bar, regular customers and newcomers received the same genuine warmth.

Rorey’s impact was never about recognition or achievements. Instead, his legacy lives through the countless people whose lives he touched through friendship, laughter, and compassion. For many in Asheville and beyond, his absence leaves a space that cannot easily be filled.