Robin Ropp

Although Robin Ropp was taken from her loved ones much too soon, she made a significant impact in the lives of countless others. She was kind, compassionate, and hardworking, and she continually shared her gifts and talents with those around her. There was no greater gift in Robin's life than her family, and she treasured being a wife and mother more than anything else. Strong, courageous, and brave, she was an inspiration to all who were near. Life will never be the same without Robin here, but she leaves behind a brilliantly colored mosaic of memories that her loved ones will forever cherish.

The 1970s were an exciting time in America. We continued to push the limits in space travel, and civil rights continued to make strides toward equality. Disco, Dallas, and Jaws were all threads woven into the cultural fabric of our nation during this time. The year 1973 was met with great anticipation for Roy L. and Kay L. (Lahm) Smith as they were awaiting the birth of their new baby as March dawned in. Their wait was over on March 29th when the baby girl they named Robin L. drew her first breath. Born at Whitley Memorial Hospital, in Columbia City, she was the youngest of four as she was raised in the family home in Whitley County alongside her siblings, Dawn, Eric, and Lance. They spent a few years living in the Warsaw area, but they moved back to Whitley County by the time Robin was in middle school.

In many ways Robin was a young girl of her generation. She enjoyed playing softball, swimming, and she learned to play the piano, too. From the time she was a young girl Robin enjoyed snowmobiling with her family, even if she fell asleep while riding with her dad. She attended local schools where she was a good student. Robin was a cheerleader at Columbia City's middle school.

After graduating from Columbia City Joint High School with the Class of 1991, Robin was eager for all that life had in store. She worked as a transcriptionist and phlebotomist, and she even spent a short time living in Hawaii while working in the hospital field. Robin worked on the administrative side of the hospital and went to IU in Fort Wayne for business administration. For several years she had worked as an office manager for Mike "Red" Rethlake.

In 1997 she took some time off and was focused on helping her dad after he was involved in a life threatening accident. Of great significance during this time was her introduction to the young man how would change the course of her life forever. His name was Jay Ropp, and it didn't take the couple long to fall in love. As she was preparing to graduate with a Bachelor's Degree, the two were married at the Columbia City Church of the Nazarene by Rev. Tom Beers on August 11, 1999. The newlyweds then spent their honeymoon traveling around the countryside of Michigan with no agenda or plan other than to spend time relaxing together.

There was nothing Robin wanted more than to become a mother, and this dream became a reality when they welcomed their twins, Sarah and Tucker, into their hearts and home. Robin loved being a mom and made sure that her children knew she was always there for them. She was there to help them with their homework, taught them how to take care of life skills like cooking, cleaning, and doing laundry. Robin spent a year as the cheer coach at Edgewood Middle School in Warsaw and also taught a year of Sunday school class while attending Brookside.

While managing both her family life and school, she took an accelerated program in nursing through Indiana Wesleyan to earn her second bachelor's degree. This degree was an asset in Robin's life as she fought her own battle with cancer for over five years. Of course even as she was battling her own cancer she helped other patients with their battles as well. Someone who never gave up, Robin would research treatments, going to any lengths necessary. Together she and her husband owned rental properties, and Robin was the one who managed the properties. She was the one who came up with the name, Bridgeways, because she loved the idea of helping out others in need. Robin was so proud of being part of bridging the gap in the lives of people who were getting back up on their feet.

For as long as she was able, Robin enjoyed keeping busy. She was a member of Columbia City First Church of God and Brookside Church in Fort Wayne. Robin loved shopping, vacationing in Florida, and being on the beach. She was a fantastic cook, and her kids loved her lasagna, prime rib and roasts, green bean casserole, and her chocolate scotcheroos.

Fun, adventurous, and vibrant, Robin Ropp was the heartbeat of wherever she was. She was kind, compassionate, and selfless with an unending passion for helping others, even when she was engaged in the fight for her life. Robin lived to be a wife and mother, and there was nothing she loved more than being with her family. With a contagious zest for life, she touched the hearts and lives of many. Dearly loved, Robin will be forever missed.

Robin L. Ropp, 45, of Larwill, Indiana, passed away at 12:31 p.m. Monday, November 5, 2018, at her home. Robin's family includes her husband, Jay Ropp; twin children, Sarah Ropp and Tucker Ropp, both of Larwill; parents, Roy and Kay (Lahm) Smith, of Larwill; sister, Dawn (Michael) Shaw; brothers, Eric (Nicole) Smith and Lance (Sheila) Smith; brother-in-law, Jon (Dawn) Ropp; sister-in-law, Cheri Ropp; father-and mother-in-law, Richard "Duke" and Rita Ropp; and close friends, Ronda and Aaron McClure and Sean and Christa Martin.

Visitation is 2-8 p.m. Thursday, November 8, 2018, at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Friday at the funeral home with Pastor Johnny McCallister of First Church of God officiating. Burial will follow at Nolt Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in her memory toward her funeral expenses, I.C.O. DeMoney-Grimes. Visit www.demoneygrimes.com to send her family condolences online.