Bob Lopp

Robert John Lopp 84, a longtime Valley resident, educator, and active community contributor, passed away peacefully at home on October 11th, 2024. 

Bob was born September 12, 1940, to Clara and Robert Ogden in Dillon, Montana.  The Great Northern Glacier Park artist, Leonard Lopp and wife Margaret adopted Bob in 1949 residing on Flathead Lake.   

Bob graduated from Flathead County High School in 1958.  He completed his undergraduate studies in German at Walla Walla University in College Place, Washington. He later obtained his master’s degree at the University of Montana in Missoula in 1988. 

Bob began his professional career at Stevensville High School teaching German, beginning Algebra, and Earth Science. Bob, better known as “Herr Lopp”, taught German for 30 years at Park High School (1963-1968) and Flathead High School (1969-1993).  He introduced his students to more than just a language; he expanded their horizons and built connections to last a lifetime.   

Recognizing the value of experiencing a language and culture firsthand, Herr Lopp established the German American Partnership Program (GAPP) exchange at Flathead in 1982 with the Ricarda Huch and the Martino Katharineum (MK) schools in Braunschweig Germany.  Bob’s dedication and commitment to the advancement of international understanding and advocacy for language learning was recognized by the German Government, he was awarded the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany. 

Bob retired from School District 5 in 1993 to join his wife at Jane Lopp & Associates, LLC.  As an accredited estate planner. He consulted and advised clients on insurance, financial, and long-term planning.  He was an advocate for global awareness and community engagement. Bob was actively involved with the Prudential Global Volunteer Day among other civic programs.  The Chamber of Commerce Great Chief was awarded to Bob and Jane for their many contributions to the community.  

Bob was an avid naturalist.  He was interested in nature, our interaction with it and its conservation.  During the summers he worked for the Forest Service by surveying in the North Fork area in the 70’s, which was an opportune time for fly fishing.  Bob and the family spent much of their time camping, hiking and fishing in the North Fork. 

Bob’s passion for birding began during his childhood on Flathead Lake, continuing throughout his lifetime.  He was a founding member of the Flathead Audubon Society dedicating thousands of hours to preservation and conservation efforts in the valley.  Bob’s leadership and stewardship were recognized with the Montana Audubon Lifetime Achievement Award. 

For decades Bob has been a valuable civic leader; serving as a Flathead Valley Community College Board trustee and former chair, 4-H foundation, trustee Flathead County Library Board, Kalispell City-County Planning Board and Zoning Commission board, active with District 5 School Board, Hockaday Museum for the Arts, Montana Dahlia Society. 

He was preceded in death by Robert and Margaret Lopp and his wife of 53 years Jane Lopp. 

He is survived by his wife Joanne Richardson Lopp, his children, Bobby Lopp and wife Heather Lopp of Kalispell,MT, Cheryl Finley and husband Chip Finley of Herndon, VA; granddaughters Madison Lopp of York, PA, Xio Lopp of Wallingford, CT, Brinkley Lopp of Kalispell,MT, Sara Finley, Herndon, VA, Lara Finley, Centreville, VA, Mary Finley, Altoona, PA; great granddaughter Amelia Finley, Herndon, VA. 

The celebration of Bob Lopp’s life will be held November 3rd at 1:00pm at Darlington Cremation and Burial Services. A gathering will be held after the service at The Hilton Garden inn 1840 U.S. 93, S Kalispell MT 59901 

Memorial gifts can be made to: 

Flathead Audubon Educational Fund, P.O, Box 9173, Kalispell, MT. 59904 

Dream Adaptive in Memory of Jane Lopp, P.O. Box 4084, Whitefish, MT 59937 

Robert Lopp Family Scholarship Fund, Flathead Valley Community College, 777 Grandview Drive, Kalispell, MT 59901 

A livestream of Bob's service can be found by clicking the following link, https://my.gather.app/remember/robert-lopp

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