Raymond Gale Ropers

It is with great sadness that we acknowledge the passing of Raymond Gale Ropers on August 1st, 2024. Born on November 18, 1943, Ray lived a life of integrity, generosity, and altruism. His life was inspiring to those around him, including his wife, Rosa, children Julie (Jeff), Rebecca (Tom), Kathy (Dale), Deb, and Dan (Eugenia), and grandchildren Stephanie, Ashlyn, Scott, Aaron, Joe, Isabel, Raie, Amaya, Tor, and Erika. Born in Baraboo, Wisconsin, Ray earned a degree in business administration/accounting from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and lived in Lancaster for 40 years before moving to Waunakee in 2011. While his decades-long career as a business leader provided support for many family adventures, he enacted his true love of helping people and communities around him achieve their potential in many other ways. He was instrumental in establishing the Lancaster Community Fund and volunteered with the Jaycees, Big Buddies, Schumacher Farms, among other organizations. Notably, Ray was an active Lions Club member for over 50 years, earning numerous awards including the Joseph Cullen Award for Outstanding Contributions to Chronic Disease Prevention and Control for facilitating the creation of diabetes awareness DVDs, one of which was distributed internationally. Ray enjoyed golfing, playing basketball, watching sports, fishing, playing cards, traveling, and reading, and was always available to offer words of wisdom, affirmation, or good humor. He was a friend, mentor, guide, confidante, learner, silent leader, true mensch, and gran signore. Explicitly and by example, he urged us to live fully in the world, noticing what is needed and answering the question, “What are you going to do about it?”

A celebration of life will be held on August 17th, 2024, at Cress Funeral Home in Waunakee at 11:00. In lieu of flowers, Ray requested that memorials be given to the Wisconsin Lions Foundation (https://wlf.info/donate/) to assist with diabetes awareness programs and camps.