the late John L. “Jack” Roper II and Sarah Roper. Growing up in Norfolk, he attended Virginia Episcopal School and the University of Virginia. In 1945, he served our country in World War II in the United States Coast Guard, protecting our shores from Nazi U-Boats, attaining the rank of lieutenant (j.g.) in the U.S. Naval Reserve (retired). In 1949, John graduated from the University of Virginia with a degree in mechanical engineering. Afterwards, he attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, graduating in 1951 with a degree in naval architecture I and marine engineering. On Sept. 29, 1951, he married his sweetheart, Jane “Jinnie” Preston, in Tazewell, Va., afterwards moving to Norfolk to join the family business: Norfolk Shipbuilding and Drydock Corporation, which was founded by his grandfather, George Wishham Roper in 1914. John began his career in the shipyard industry as a college student in 1946. In 1951, he enrolled as a shipyard apprentice, working his way up to the top executive position, and ultimately taking control of the company in 1983 upon the death of his father. The consummate businessman, John took great pride in building Norfolk Shipbuilding from a relatively small ship repair company into a large ship repair and shipbuilding enterprise.
John was an innovator in his field in the establishment of the “take and pay” contract with a major energy company, enabling the construction of the largest floating drydock in this hemisphere, the Titan. Constructed in Brazil and towed to Norfolk, the Titan, combined with the construction of a new 1000-foot pier, enabled the company to compete and win larger contracts to build and repair ships, enter into agency agreements, and to market to foreign customers. Changing its name to Norshipco, the company’s employment rose from approximately 1,000 employees to a peak of over 5,000 employees in the late 1970’s. In 1998, John retired from Norshipco after the sale of the company to Southwest Marine. At the time of the sale, the company employed approximately 2,000 individuals.
Mr. Roper’s business accomplishments were only exceeded by his generous record of charitable service to the community. Mr. Roper served on the boards of numerous non-profit organizations. In the 1960s, he was president of the Tidewater Chapter of the American Red Cross, a board member of the Independent Junior Colleges of Virginia and of the Old Dominion Athletic Foundation. He served as the chairman of the Virginia Port Authority, a trustee of the Chrysler Museum, a member of the Medical College of Hampton Roads Foundation, and a trustee of the Virginia Opera, only to name a few. He formed a company trust dedicated to giving to charitable organizations throughout the Hampton Roads area, giving to local hospitals, charities, institutions of higher learning, and the arts. Mr. Roper was a member of the Church of the Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Norfolk. Mr. Roper was an avid sportsman and golfer, and enjoyed many good times with his friends and colleagues.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Jane Preston Roper, five children, 10 grandchildren, and one greatgrandchild. His children are as follows: his son, John L. Roper IV and his wife Ruth; his four daughters, Dr. Susan St. Clair Roper and her husband Dean Kuhne of Clearwater, Fla., Sarah Massie and her husband Gerry of Norfolk, Jane Van Sciver of Norfolk and Hayward Stout of Poway, Calif. His 10 beloved grandchildren are: Rachel Roper, Daniel Kuhne, Laura Kuhne, Sarah Kuhne, Katherine Tekamp, Austin Tekamp, Jessica Van Sciver, Robbie Van Sciver, Ryan Stout and Cheyney Stout. He is also survived by his lovely sister, Isabel Yates and her children, Maida, Ann, Isabel, and Cherie, and by his brother, George Roper.
A memorial service in celebration of his life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 3, in the Good Shepherd Episcopal Church by the Rev. Charles Riddle. The family will receive friends in the Norfolk Chapel of H.D. Oliver Funeral Apartments Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. Donations, in lieu of flowers, may be made to the Virginia Opera, Virginia Symphony or to the Mariners’ Museum. Online condolences may be offered to the family at hdoliver.com.