Dr. Richard Edwin Shope Jr

Dr Richard (Dick) Edwin Shope Jr, of Minnetonka, died Thursday July 7th, 2011 undergoing experimental surgery to improve his heart function to aid in his fight against pulmonary fibrosis. Born in Philadelphia, PA on September 4th 1926 to Helen and Richard Shope, Dick was known as an eternal optimist, and at his heart he was a scientist to the end. As a veterinary virologist, he taught at the Veterinary College at the University of Minnesota with a specialty in bovine viral diarrhea and spent two years in Brazil with the World Health Organization between 1970 and 1972 working on the issue of Hoof and Mouth Disease. A stickler for research integrity, he wrote articles on the topic critiquing scientists who would falsify data. Dick is survived by his long-time friend Betty Jean; six children Rick and Rob (and their mother Chloe); Cindy, David, Jim, and Glenn; his ten grandchildren; Rafa, Helen, Mary Nicole, Brandi Lynn, Amy, Kelsey, Megan, Victoria, Danny, and Thomas; his five great grandchildren Kiana, JaVante, JaMirra, JaNiah and Javian; his great-great grandchild Masciana; and his brother Tom and sister Nancy. He leaves behind thousands of fond memories of summers at the family cabin fishing (you catch ‘em, you clean 'em), countless visits to his lab (cleaning pipettes and hanging with his students), goodnight jiggers (Dickie benicky tiangle felicky tee-legged toe-legged bow-legged Dickie), richly filled gardens overflowing with flowers and fresh vegetables, and passionate dinnertime debates of religion, politics, and other taboo topics (which he considered friendly sport). An avid and unorthodox bridge player, Dick could be found playing at any number of bridge clubs in the Twin Cities each week. He was the best no trump player ever! A private ceremony will be held in Hackensack Minnesota on Friday July 22nd, 2011 where his family will spread his ashes in Woman Lake to be with his mother and father. Donations may be sent in his name to the American Lung Association.