Jack R. Van Lopik

Jack Richard Van Lopik, Professor Emeritus of LSU passed away on Friday, July 31, 2015, in Baton Rouge. He was born February, 25, 1929, in Holland, Michigan. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Annagreta Hojhdal Van Lopik; parents Gerrit (Guy) M. Van Lopik and Minnie (Grunst) Van Lopik; and stepson Charles Manning. He was a U. S. Veteran serving in the Army as a meteorologist.

Jack received his Bachelor of Science degree in 1950 from Michigan State College, Master of Science in 1953, and Ph.D.in 1955 in geology from Louisiana State University. He was widely published in scientific journals on subjects ranging from lunar surface analysis, remote sensing, coastal land loss, and sedimentation and land building in the Mississippi Delta.

He served as a hydraulics engineer for the U.S. Corps of Engineers, Waterways Experiment Station in Vicksburg, Mississippi and in the science service division at Texas Instruments in Dallas, Texas, before returning to LSU in 1968 to implement the Louisiana Sea Grant College Program. He was instrumental in promoting research in various marine science programs while director of LSU Center for Wetland Resources from 1976-1991. He was also instrumental in the study of environmental impacts on the Louisiana Offshore Oil Port (LOOP).

He was executive director of the Louisiana Sea Grant program from 1968-2005. He was responsible for instituting the growth and interest in marine science research and academic programs at LSU and organized and directed the LSU Center for Wetland Resources as dean from 1976 to 1991; the Center grew into the LSU’s College of the Coast an Environment. Jack was instrumental in establishment in 1994 of the Louisiana Sea Grant John P. Laborde Endowed Chair for Sea Grant Research and Technology Transfer.

Jack was a philanthropist and contributed to multiple non-profit organizations ranging from Veterans organizations to New Orleans Jazz. He was an aficionado of traditional New Orleans Jazz as well as a donor supporting organizations which promoted it. He was a charter member of the World War II Museum.

He was a member of numerous professional organization, including, but not limited to the Gulf of Mexico Fisheries Management Council, American Association for Advancement of Science Fellows, American Association of Petroleum Geologists, Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission, Society of American Military Engineers, Member of the Geological Society of America, Advisory Council for the LSU Press and the National Conference on the Advancement of Research.

A Memorial Service will be held at Greenoaks Funeral Home, 9595 Florida Blvd. Baton Rouge, LA 70815, on Thursday, August 20, 2015 at 10 a.m. Inurnment will follow on the grounds of Greenoaks Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the Louisiana Sea Grant College Program though the LSU Foundation.