John David Roop

Dave Roop passed away peacefully at home on May 27, 2021 surrounded by loved ones. He was 79 years old. For nearly a decade, Dave battled Alzheimer’s like any other obstacle he faced with the courage, determination and grace that were hallmarks of Dave living life on his own terms. Born to the late William (Sr.) and Elsie Swanner Roop on September 16, 1941 in Arjay, Kentucky, Dave was the first in his immediate family to graduate high school. He left coal country the day after graduation to find a better way in the north with a short, but formative, stop in Baltimore before eventually settling in Fort Wayne. There, he met and married his loving bride of 56 years, Carolyn Potter.

One of Dave’s favorite sayings was that he never argued unless he was right, and management at the B.F. Goodrich tire plant in Woodburn learned that firsthand in the early 1970s when he succeeded mixing whitewall rubber in a black rubber only Banbury machine. He was laughed at for even suggesting it was possible and then rewarded with a trip to Hawaii after proving the naysayers wrong all while saving the plant money. He found a better way and loved telling that story.

Dave, alongside his brother Donald (Sr.), founded R&C Fence in 1970, and the pair worked tirelessly together for over 40 years building a multigenerational small business legacy that he was so proud to have a hand in shaping. Dave was also part-owner of Capitol City Fence in Indianapolis for several years and held national and local chapter leadership roles in the American Fence Association. He retired from fencing in 2012 but fencing never really left him.

Dave’s approach to fatherhood, friendship and business were consistent. He demanded effort and accountability but was a fair dealer right there by your side in good times and bad. As one long-term employee put it, “he ruled with an iron-fist, but had a heart of gold.” No doubt Dave is driving around heaven in Unit 5 looking for the foreman on the Rome job to ask why it was not built in a day. Dave will tell him there has to be a better way.

For so many years, you could count on Dave being in an early foursome on Saturday morning at Orchard Ridge or heading to Georgetown for the Wednesday night bowling league where he was affectionately referred to as “Ringo” by his pals. Dave’s competitive edge made him certain there was no golf shot he could not make or 7-10 split he could not pick up. He was not the type to lag for a safe two-putt or concede a 3-footer to his opponent, especially if they were family. He recalled the yardage and club used on each of his four hole-in-ones. Not bad for a high-teens handicapper who always found an opening in the tree line after an errant tee shot. And he would tell you that tee shot was not errant, he just saw a better way to the green.

Dave also had a passion for supporting his community. In the early 1990s, Dave spearheaded a fundraising campaign to build the Branches of Christ Ministries church building on the south side of Fort Wayne. He also donated his time to overseeing its construction, calling in a few favors along the way from friends in various trades.

Dave’s loving companion, best friend and caretaker was Carolyn. The two enjoyed watching their grandchildren grow up, traveling with family and friends, caring for their puppies and spending time in Florida during the winter months. But most of all, they enjoyed time together at home talking and laughing with one another.

Dave is survived and will be dearly missed by his wife Carolyn; children John Roop, Jr. (Kathleen Patrick Roop), Melissa Malcolm, Christopher Roop (Priya Patel Roop); grandchildren Joshua Roop, Zachary Roop, Shawn Roop, Mia Schlueter, Megan Schlueter, Devan Roop and Cavan Roop; father of his granddaughters Matthew Schlueter; brothers Donald Roop, Sr. (Rosemarie) and William Roop, Jr.; sisters Judy Matheny (Richard) and Vickie Roop. He also leaves behind a host of extended family members and friends who had the good fortune of getting to know him on his path to finding a better way. In addition to his parents, Dave was preceded in death by siblings Buelah May Roop, Charlie Roop, Melvin Roop, Bud Roop and Carroll Roop and daughter Robin Piercy (Marty). The family requests that any donations honoring Dave be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.

A funeral service honoring Dave’s life will be held at 1:00PM on Wednesday June 2, 2021 at D.O. McComb & Sons Pine Valley funeral home located at 1320 E. Dupont Rd. Fort Wayne, IN 46825. The family will hold visitation hours at the funeral home from 4:00-8:00PM on Tuesday June 1, 2021 and for the hour prior to the funeral service on Wednesday.