Loving son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, and friend, Charles Alan Rop died peacefully and with dignity at his home, surrounded by those who love him, on Saturday, February 20, 2010, following a courageous, 2-year battle with lung cancer. Chuck was born July 2, 1944, in Grand Rapids, MI, the son of James and Henrietta (Vander Molen) Rop, and grew up in Grandville, Michigan. He attended Unity Christian High School and Calvin College, receiving a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology in 1968, and later receiving a Master of Arts in Healthcare Administration from Central Michigan University in 1982. Chuck spent 37 years of his professional career as the Laboratory Manager at Allegan General Hospital and was respected and loved by his colleagues, co-workers, and physicians. On July 15, 1989, he married Shirley Sutton, who survives. Chuck is also survived by their five children: Amy Rop of Kalamazoo, Jodi (Jason) Chester of Grand Rapids, Liza (Scot) Rumery of Phoenix, AZ, Rebecca Rop of Grand Rapids, Billy (Kristen) Shellenbarger of Royal Oak; siblings Don (Diana) Rop of Chagrin Falls, OH, Norma (Ron) Gerard of Byron Center, and Mary (Roy) Steunenberg of Put-In-Bay, OH; five grandchildren and many nieces and nephews who adored him; and special friends Rob Andro of Grand Rapids, Denise Sutton of Allen Park and Cecilia Powell of Allegan. He was preceded in death by his mother, father and father-in-law, Gerald Sutton. Chuck thrived on good conversation, particularly among close family and friends. He also loved yard work, tenderly grooming his lawn, of which the neighbors were envious. Other passions included U of M football; cooking his "famous" recipes; watching sports, especially college football and basketball, and golf (using vacation time to watch the major tournaments); his family; chocolate malts; peanut butter and his homemade strawberry jam sandwiches (with Steenstra's Royal Dutch Bakery pantry bread); road trips; the oceans; sunrises and sunsets; and singing. He liked Simon and Garfunkel but preferred classical music, especially Baroque. The family considered him an amateur meteorologist as he frequently sat outside with a cocktail and a smoke and logically observed, for example, "Clouds." Chuck was a creature of habit and a quirky guy, noted for his signature mannerisms and telling it like it was. To the amusement of many friends and family, he was often unintentionally aloof, assumingly carrying on private conversations with Lloyd Carr or other world-renowned problem-solvers. We think all would agree that to know him was to love him. He was a kind and romantic man, and was hopelessly in love with and devoted to his wife, Shirley. The family will receive friends at Gorden Funeral Residence, Allegan Chapel, 528 Trowbridge Street, Allegan, on Wednesday, February 24 from 5-8 PM. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, February 25 at 11 AM at the United Methodist Church, 409 Trowbridge Street, Allegan, Pastors Robert Stover and John Zwyghuizen officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to the Allegan General Hospital Foundation, specified to the Cancer Treatment and Infusion Center Building Project. Please visit chuckrop.posterous.com to view stories and pictures of Chuck. You are encouraged to share your memories, stories or pictures of Chuck as well. To do so, send an email with attachments to post@chuckrop.posterous.com.