Dr. Mark A. Dopps

Dr. Mark Alan Dopps, 72, chiropractor and local business pioneer, passed into Heaven on October 3, 2023, following a battle with brain cancer. A celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, October 26, at NewSpring Church, 12200 E. 21st St. N., Wichita. Private burial was held October 7, at Resthaven.

On a lovely spring day, March 31, 1951, Mark was born in Wichita, Kansas, to Bruce and Viola Dopps. Bruce was a mechanical engineer at McConnell Air Force Base and Viola was a homemaker and also owned/managed the Anna Street Market. Mark loved his childhood adventures and his nine siblings. Wonder-filled eyes, and an imaginative mind soon earned Mark the nickname “Twinkle.” Their family and joy were large, but there were few extravagances.

A strong work ethic fostered in youth served Mark well through life. A boy of humble beginnings constantly pondering life around him, his passion was figuring out how the world was created, engineered or operated. He was crazy about cars, planes, jet skis, boats, and motorcycles.

In the early 1970s he and his brothers graduated from Palmer College of Chiropractic in Iowa, and returned to Wichita to establish a chain of chiropractic clinics that pioneered mixing health treatment with business entrepreneurship at a time when health professions were viewed as a public service. Over the decades, this strategy was adopted by the health and medical industry at large.

The Dopps brothers' success, including expanding to other states, also helped establish chiropractic as a valid health treatment in the face of dismissal from the medical establishment. One high point among many was being spotlighted in The Wichita Eagle in the 1980s when the brothers bought matching Corvettes. Many of their children joined the family business, too.

With age, Mark grew to be an intelligent doctor, fascinated with healing arts and nutrition. He made several trips to Russia and the Philippines, helping mend broken bodies and souls. He extended his business interests into oil and gas, aircraft, personal-sized boats, and more, sometimes with good results and sometimes with results he laughed at later.

Mark reared two fine sons, Matt and Luke. He loved time spent with them on holidays in Arizona and trips to the mountains. Building and creating with his brothers and sons was a great joy for Mark, whether he was working in Colorado, his elk ranch, home or business. Matt and Luke followed Mark into chiropractic, as well, and have raised families.

Balancing work with fun was essential for Mark; he was always a party starter and enjoyed his time. Mark and wife April delighted in a great meal shared with loved ones. He could spin a story masterfully. A great sense of humor and deep joy made his tales vibrant and entertaining. Esteemed or modest, Mark was a friend to all, a generous giver compassionate to those in need. Mark was persuasive and passionate, but kind, driven and determined, and always humble, remembering his upbringing. He never spread gossip, and focused on kind words to say about everyone.

Mark joins his grandparents, parents, brother Rick, and several nieces in Heaven.

Mark is survived by wife April Dopps, and children Matt Dopps (Alison) and Luke Dopps (Christa), and Natalie Oliverson (Wyatt) and Olivia Logan.

Grandchildren: Grace Dopps, Paige Dopps, Braiden Dopps, Chloe Dopps, Jacob Dopps, Katie Dopps, Logan Dopps, Allison Burns, and Violet Bowers. Mark was thrilled to know there were to be more grandchildren in the future.

Siblings: Fred Dopps (Nancy), John Dopps (Jody), Robert Dopps (Linda), Brad Dopps (Rhonda), Dan Dopps, Naomi Hurst (Don), Sharon May (Bob), Melita Bryan (Brant), and many nieces and nephews who were his biggest fans.

He is also survived by many friends, including staff and patients. He held them close to his heart, and they remained by his side until the end, in thought if not in person.

Seeds of faith planted early in Mark’s life took deep root. He was raised in the Apostolic Christian Church and later joined the Church of Christ; his final church home was NewSpring. Unwavering reverence and profound awe were mature fruits in his life. After a rededication baptism in the Jordan River in 2019, God’s spirit blossomed more fully in Mark’s heart.

Mark loved to travel with his wife by his side. He was amazed with the world God created, but his heart was always happiest when he returned home. And, so it was October 3, 2023, when life’s journey ended. With that twinkle in his eye and a smile on his face, he joyfully returned home to Christ - delighted with the wonders he had seen, but oh so happy to have reached fulfillment.

Mark's statement to loved ones was, “I have no fear, safe in the arms of Jesus, safe in his everlasting care. What is there to fear? I was built and trained for this my whole life. Go on, family, go on and enjoy your day.”