"Elton Hills School was so lucky to have "Grandpa Bob" volunteer for so many years. He left a positive boost with everyone he interacted with."
In loving memory of
Robert Ellsworth Schopp
August 28, 1928 - June 6, 2022
Robert "Bob" Ellsworth Schopp was born in St. Joseph, Missouri on August 28, 1928 to Ellsworth and Pearl (Moser) Schopp. He died peacefully at 93 years of age in Rochester, Minnesota surrounded by family at Season's Hospice House.
Bob served in the US Army and was a World War II veteran. He was married to Alice Jo Rosenauer for 32 years. Together they welcomed three children: Melanie (Mike) Bee of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Joan (John) Hunn of Ely, Minnesota and Robert (Patty) Schopp of Edina, Minnesota.
He earned his mechanical engineering degree from Kansas State in 1954. He was recruited to IBM and enjoyed a successful career that spanned 32 years. In his time at IBM he worked in New York, California and Minnesota and held many patents. He continued his innovation into retirement with more patents. He always had his next project in the works on his draft board. If you had a problem, he had a solution.
In 1982, he married Blondell (Bobbi) Zimmerman Elford in Rochester, MN. In their 40 years of marriage they enjoyed so much together including traveling, 15 years of snow birding to Arizona in an RV, gardening, bird watching, family time and supporting MN sports. In fact, he enjoyed watching The Twins until his last day.
Bob was the ultimate grandpa to all, regardless of blood relation. He was the kind of person that one strives to become. His kindness and gentle nature touched all corners of his life. Any critter or bug that found its way into his house benefitted from his catch and release philosophy. In fact, it wasn't uncommon for him to be rehabbing the neighborhood wildlife back to health in his bathtub. He was widely known as Grandpa Bob in his community through his 16 years of literacy and tutoring volunteer work at Elton Hills Elementary. He always had a new joke up his sleeve that ended in the most infectious laugh.
Bob is survived by his wife, Bobbi; his children; his step-children, Sonja (Jeff) Judd and Brett (Faye) Elford; his grandchildren, Raquel, John, Hannah, Ben, Lindsey, Brianna, Andrea, Ross and Ashley; and six great-grandchildren with a seventh on the way; his extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister and brother-in-law, Mauna and Dee Porter.
Funeral services will be held 10:30 AM Saturday, June 11, 2022 at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes, 5421 Royal Place NW, Rochester, MN. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Oakwood Cemetery in Rochester, Minnesota with full military honors. In memory of Bob, memorials may be given to the Ronald McDonald House or a charity of your choice.
The family would like to thank Season's Hospice and Dr. R. Stroebel for their support and expertise.
Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Schopp family; to share a special memory of condolence please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com
Tributes
"Joan and John sorry for your loss."
"Oh Grandpa Bob! The students loved being able to read stories with either Bobbi or Grandpa Bob. Such dedications to our students at Elton Hills. I remember seeing him walking down and the halls and he always had a smile! Your family pictures show how much family meant to him. "
"The Ojo?s family send their sympathy to you, Bobbi and the entire Bob?s family. Though Bob is gone to meet with his Lord but the memories of good things he left behind would not be forgotten so easily. He loved everyone around him. Our hope and believes is that he is resting with Christ Jesus The Ojo?s family, your neighbor will definitely miss you Bob. Our prayer for you Bobbi and the entire family is that the Lord will uphold and comfort you all. Bob Rest In Peace. Kay,Janet, Blessing and Festus "
"Sending deepest sympathy to you, Bobbi, and family. I love seeing all of the pictures and great memories you all have to cherish. Looking through them, I can hear Bob?s laugh and his sharing ideas on how to do/fix something. I feel so fortunate to have had the honor of seeing Bob every day and you, Bobbi, weekly at Elton Hills for so many years. You both touched so many lives, and I am so grateful that I was included in that. Sending huge hugs and prayers for peace. With love, Jenni Benson"
"I worked with Bob for many years, He helped me numerous times. I was a new analyst and he helped me learn the ropes, always with patience and a smile. He was a joy to work with"
"Thank you Grandpa Bob for serving the children of Elton Hills Elementary and their families with your reading volunteer hours. You will be forever in our hearts and gratitude! Rest in peace. We will miss you on 17th Ave NW, tending your garden flowers. "
"Grandpa, I'll carry you in my heart forever. Keep yourself active in the heavens and show your magic tricks to those angels. Forever in love and grateful, Adrian "
"We only knew Bob for a short few years but he will be immensely missed by our family! He welcomed us to the neighborhood with such a warm and friendly demeanor, our boys were instantly drawn to him! Rest in peace Bob, we will miss you dearly and promise to help keep Bobbi company and bring her fresh baked goodies! Sending our love and condolences to Bobbi & family! "
"This makes me very sad. I worked with Bob over 40 years ago, and I can say with all honesty and accuracy that I never worked with a better engineer or a nicer person. What he meant to our projects and the technical advancements we made under his guidance cannot be over-stressed. He would drop everything he was doing to help me out, and always with patience and a smile. The world was definitely a far better place with Bob here. God bless his soul."