Allan W. Stopperan

Al was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1940 to Harry and Pauline Stopperan. He spent his childhood in Peoria, Illinois and Waterloo, Iowa as well as on his grandparents’ farm in Cresco, Iowa with his cousin and good friend, Chuck. Al graduated from Iowa State University, and he earned his law degree from the University of Iowa, where he was an editor on the law review.

Al met his wife and best friend Betsy (Elizabeth Hall) in 1981 and they were married three years later. They spent nearly forty years happily married, talking, worshiping God, traveling the world, visiting children and grandchildren, spending time with their friends in particular Betsy’s sisters and brothers-in-law (Mary Kay and Charlie Horner and Ruthie and Jim Hindsdale) and spending time at their lake house in the Ozarks.

Al and Betsy have five children between the two of them: Bob Stopperan (Mimi), Chrissie Diehl, Scott Campbell (Emiko), Beth Stopperan Bass (Joren), Kitsy Morrison (Jeb). Al and Betsy took great pride in all of the children’s accomplishments. Though Al loved many things in the world, one of Al’s favorite roles was that of being a grandparent including teaching the grandchildren how to fish, how to play chess, instilling his love of reading and making each grandchild repeat what a great cook he was. Al and Betsy have twelve grandchildren and two great-grandchildren between the two of them: Katherine, Mary Grace, Thomas, Julia, Campbell, Henry, Megan, Charlotte, Ellie, Jake, Sophia, Aero, Wrenley and Ellis. Al also had a soft spot for dogs and spent many hours with his beloved dog Max, who kept him great company and traveled with him on many errands.

Al was passionate about his career as an attorney and practiced law in Kansas City for over four decades. He spent the first years as an associate and then a partner with Morrsion Hecker and the balance of his career as a partner at Seigfreid Bingham. As Al was honest, ethical and meticulous about details, his practice of corporate law and estate planning was a perfect fit for these traits. Many of Al’s clients and colleagues also became his friends and he greatly treasured those relationships.

Although baptized in the Lutheran church, Al was an active member of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church for nearly forty years. He devoted a great deal of time and energy to the church vestry committee including serving as senior warden for two terms. Al greatly enjoyed his vestry duties at the church, but he was most happy serving God by working with the church in a soup kitchen and attending the cancer support group.

Beyond his love and compassion for Betsy, Al's primary passion in his life was reading. Al was a voracious reader and was known to read entire books in a day. Although not materialistic, his few prized tangible possessions were copies of books he had read throughout the years. Even into Al’s last years, one of his favorite activities was picking out new books at the local library or Rainy Day Bookstore.

Al will always be remembered for his kindness and sense of humor. We couldn’t have asked for a better husband, parent, grandparent and we will miss Al every day. Al’s memory will live on in the hearts of those that loved him.

The family would like to thank the staff at Heritage of Overland Park for the compassion and love they showed Al during his final days.

A service celebrating Al’s life will be held at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 6401 Wornall Terrace, Kansas City, Missouri 64113 on Saturday, January 6, 2023 at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, donations to the St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church Endowment Fund or the Alzheimer’s Association would be appreciated.