On May 30, 2011, with grace and sustained beneath a gentle canopy of love, Robert began his journey to unite with his Heavenly Father. His loving wife, Evangeline, was by his side, along with his five children and extended family members.
He joins his daughter, Sharon Lee Popp who predeceased him in 1989. He leaves behind his son, Alan T. Popp and his wife, Cindy; his daughters, Marylou I. Bissonnette and her husband, Roger, Louise E. Popp and Glenn Greenidge, Nancy A. Popp and her husband, Bradford Baylies, and Robin R. Popp and Wayne Dodwell.
Born in Pittsburgh, PA on August 29, 1921, Bob proudly served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He married the love of his life in 1944 and went on to successful careers in real estate and financial services.
Bob and Vange moved to New Hampshire with their family in 1970, where they owned and operated The Showcase furniture store in Manchester and Hooksett.
Bob believed strongly in “giving back”. He was an active member and past president of the Castle Shannon, PA, Rotary International and active in numerous church missions. He served as a member of the board and volunteered at New Horizons for New Hampshire in Manchester.
He also volunteered for many years with his family for the Manchester Salvation Army, receiving the Salvation Army Volunteer Family of the Year award in 1997. He clocked nearly 15 years of volunteer work at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Manchester and volunteered, along with his family, for the American Cancer Society, receiving the ACS Singer Family of the Year award in 1998.
Bob was one of two New Hampshire recipients of the National Firestone “100 Who Serve” award in 2001. He considered service to mankind as the rent due for the space one occupies on earth.
Bob was more than a man with a wonderful sense of humor. He was a man of good humor. He always had a kind word, a warm smile, and a healthy serving of dignity for everyone he met. This bright light never faltered, even as he toiled under the most trying and debilitating conditions through the last year of his life.
On Bob’s behalf, the family extends heartfelt thanks to the many friends and members of Brookside who prayed for him, visited with him, shared conversation, music and love with him, and enriched his life. The family also extends appreciation to all those who provided medical and spiritual care to Bob. He made many new friends over the past year and was truly humbled by the experience.
In addition to his immediate family, Bob leaves several grandchildren and great grandchildren, Jason and Erin Meyer and their daughters, Natalie and Evangeline, Aimee and John Hall and their daughter, Lexi, Ryan Popp and his daughters, Mary-Elyse and Erin, Tyler Malek and Carlene Robertson and their daughter, Ella, Ethan Popp and Vanessa Leuck, Austin Malek, Zachary and Madeline Severance, Bethany and Mark MacDonald and their daughter, Corinne.
A memorial service was held on Saturday, June 4, 2011 at Brookside Congregational Church, 2013 Elm St., Manchester. In lieu of flowers, financial or volunteer contributions to New Horizons for New Hampshire, 199 Manchester St., Manchester, NH 03103, or to Brookside Youth Missions, 2013 Elm St., Manchester, NH 03104, would be greatly appreciated.