Wayne J. Roper

Roper, Wayne J. Wayne died peacefully on March 4, 2012, after a long, happy and successful life. Affectionately known as "Rope" by friends and colleagues, he was born on May 17, 1924, in Chester, Iowa. He grew up in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, with his parents, Lydia and Edward Roper, and sister, Maxine (Brown). After serving two years in the Army, Rope completed the last two years of college at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, graduating in 1946. It was there that he first met Jean Branaman of Waynesboro, VA whom he continued to court while attending Harvard Law School. Following graduation from Harvard Law School in 1949, Wayne and Jean married on August 18, 1949 and moved to Milwaukee. In 1955, Rope was one of three lawyers who formed Burlingame, Gibbs and Roper, which continued as Gibbs, Roper, Loots & Williams from 1958 until its merger in 1996 with the von Briesen firm. The von Briesen firm, founded in 1904, became von Briesen & Roper, s.c. after the merger with Gibbs, Roper, Loots and Williams. Rope practiced law in Milwaukee for over sixty years, concentrating in corporate, business and estate planning and trust law representing many of the best known and highly respected businesses and individuals in Milwaukee. In addition to his long and illustrious law practice, Rope served as a director or trustee of a number of Wisconsin businesses and foundations, including Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, Modine Manufacturing Company, MGIC, Falk Corporation, Kurth Corporation, Green Bay Packaging, Inc., Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF), the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation, the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, the Froedtert Hospital Foundation and several other closely-held businesses and foundations in Wisconsin. In 2006 he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Milwaukee Bar Association. When not serving his clients, Rope helped raise his daughter and son and pursued his love of fishing and sailing. He raced sailboats for many years at the Milwaukee Yacht Club and served as the Club's Commodore. Since retirement he was often found at the round table on Fridays for lunch with his cronies. He was also a longtime member of the Milwaukee Club and the University Club. Rope loved the performing arts, with a particular passion for opera; he was integral to the 1997 $22 million remodeling of The Marcus Center. He also enjoyed the fine arts, was an avid supporter of the Milwaukee Art Museum and was active in several other community and arts organizations. Rope was a beloved member of the Milwaukee community. His acumen, humor, humility and caring will be dearly missed. He was predeceased by his wife of 55 years, Jean Roper, and is survived by his children, Martha Roper and William Roper (Barbara Ganley), his grandchildren, Nora and Elizabeth Ganley-Roper, his sister, Maxine Brown, nieces and nephews, and his dear friend and second love, Joan Bell. A public ceremony will be held at 3:00 PM on Friday, March 16, at Immanuel Presbyterian Church, 1100 North Astor Street, Milwaukee. A reception will follow from 4:00 PM until 6:00 PM at the University Club, 924 East Wells Street, Milwaukee. Memorials in Rope's name may be made to the Milwaukee Symphony, 1101 North Market Street, Suite 100, Milwaukee, WI 53202 or the Florentine Opera of Milwaukee, 700 North Water Street, Suite 950, Milwaukee, WI 53202.