He was born November 17, 1940 to Roger and Jean (Maxon) Northrop in Fort Dodge, Iowa.
At a young age he moved with his family to northeast Iowa, where he started school in Oelwein. Throughout his school years he was active in sports, music, DeMolay, and Boy Scouts. He graduated with the Oelwein class of 1959.
Randy attended Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and became a member of Phi Kappa Tau fraternity. In 1961 he married Kathleen Lonborg and in 1962 they moved back to Oelwein, where helped lay natural gas pipe and also worked at Oelwein State Bank.
Randy always had goals of becoming a teacher and a coach. He returned to classes at Upper Iowa University, graduating in the summer of 1965. Two weeks later he reached his goal. He coached for 39 years, working for Durant, Emmetsburg, Belle Plaine, Iowa and Carrollton, Texas. U.S. History was his specialty in the classroom and football was his favorite sport. He also enjoyed, coaching athletes in basketball, track, cross-country and golf.
Randy cared about each and every student. He especially loved hearing about their lives after high school. Teaching and coaching his own children was the best and watching his grandkids participate was his favorite.
After retiring, he found new hobbies. He excelled at woodworking and carving. His Christmas ornaments adorn the trees of many family and friends every holiday season.
Preceding him in death are his parents, Roger and Jean Northrop; father and mother-in-law, Louis and Lynnette Lonborg and granddaughter, Emma Northrop Benda.
He leaves behind his wife of 62 years, Kathleen, daughter, Jennifer (Rob) Hupf of Davie, Florida; son, Justin (Carol) Northrop of Tiffin, Iowa; daughter, Jessica (Shawn) Fritsche of Garland Texas; grandsons, Joshua (Jayme), Jacob, Jaren and Jordan Harvey, Cooper and Cody Northrop and Max Fritsche; great-grandchildren, Isaac, Lillybeth, Harlee and Hayden.
A celebration of Randy’s life will be held later this year.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.9.6