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Edward Roper Obituary
Edward Roper, father and husband, died on April 1, 2014, in Santa Rosa, CA, after a long illness. Ed was born in San Francisco and lived there until his retirement from the San Francisco Public Schools in 1991. He subsequently moved to Windsor, Sonoma County, with his wife Ann Mari. He is predeceased by his father John "Jack" Sheridan Roper, his mother Helen E. Roper, and his brother John "Bob" Sheridan Roper, Jr.
Ed attended Star of the Sea Elementary School and George Washington High School. Following graduation, Ed enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served aboard a mine sweeper in the Pacific during the final days of World War II. He later attended San Jose State University, where he earned a B.A. and an M.A. in education. Afterwards he spent a year in Spain, where he met his wife, Ann Mari Gundemark, a native of Sweden, while working in Mallorca. They married at Saint Francis of Assisi in North Beach in 1957, and started a family. Ed taught at several elementary and middle schools in the City during his 30-year education career. He spent many happy years at James Madison Elementary, and concluded his teaching career at James Denman Middle School.
Ed had a passionate love of San Francisco history, and was an eager illicit collector of relic water meter covers and street signs. Summer vacations afforded time to travel: Ed and family spent many happy times visiting his wife's family in Sweden, and exploring other foreign ports of call. Most summers were spent splitting time between his family at Serene Lakes near Truckee and driving a cab in the City. Following retirement, Ed and Ann Mari continued to travel abroad extensively.
Ed is survived by his wife Ann Mari, his daughters Kristina Roper Graber (David), Kim Roper Garrett (Ken), Karin Roper De Liso (Carlo), his son, Marc Roper, and grandson Aleks Wickstrom. The family wishes to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Helen and Joel Trinidad of Silva Care Home, Santa Rosa. A private memorial will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the San Francisco History Center of the SF Public Library.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Edward Roper
Susan Renati
April 28, 2024
Somehow I missed this and I can only say that Mr Roper was the best teacher I ever had. He was innovative, excited about teaching, loved his students and accepted them exactly as they were.He was my 6th grade teacher at Madison. He made learning fun and engaged all students. He was also such a proud San Franciscan. I recall our overnight on the Balclutha as one of the hi-lights of 6th grade. There were so many wonderful experiences for students in his classroom, but the thing I recall, the most was how he made his students feel. He was a natural teacher, and the funny ,kind human. You always knew he had your back. I will never forget him.
Sandy Weil
March 30, 2024
Reading again what people wrote puts a smile on my face. Really, such a phenomenal teacher! Part of your spirit is in all of us Mr. Roper. Thank you.
Allen Biggs
May 15, 2017
Ed Roper was a wonderful teacher! He shared his passion for history, travel, architecture, gardening, and recycling with our class at Madison School. He was a great story-teller, and shared his adventures with us, like the time he drove Bennie Bufano around San Francisco, and he learned the sculptor colored his hair with shoe polish. Mr. Roper took us all over the city, on field trips. We were so lucky, he had a big impact on our lives. He is an inspiration for my own teaching at San Francisco State.
Sandy Weil
March 27, 2015
Dear Roper Family:
I just stumbled upon the passing of your Dad at a Madison Facebook page. I am so sorry for your loss. I know the emptiness that hits over the years and just that deep, missing them (both my parents passed). As so many have already shared, he is a teacher and a person we will always remember. I graduated in 1970 (I think) from Madison and he was my 6th grade teacher. I remember doing the DPW utility cover rubbings, reading Art Hoppe, and we started a garden that year on the side of the school. If memory serves me he also helped us start the newspaper recycling project that earned the class or school some money! All the paper had to be tied with string and was stored in the basement of a house at the corner of Clay and Cherry. He was very inspirational, energetic, creative, forward thinking and fun - the best kind of teacher. I still have a letter from him that he wrote to my parents! Our class wanted to give him something special at the end of the year and we gave him a kitten, but I remember he couldn't keep it. I was fortunate to run into him a few times across the City over the years and he always sounded well and seemed happy. His strong shinning spirit lives on in so many he touched. I will always smile when thinking of him.
May 20, 2014
Sorry for your loss Christina.
Ingrid Loberg
Panayiota Nakis - Kanakis
April 28, 2014
Below are just some of the many lives Mr. Roper touched R.I.P.
I am very sorry to hear of Mr. Ropers passing, he was one of my favorite teachers.
I remember walking the streets of San Francisco with our class and sketching the beautiful detailed architecture on the older buildings , he is the reason I have a appreciation for the unique styles of SF . I also still have several art projects we did in his class. I also remember the programs we would watch in his class via PBS . He has touched my life in several ways and shaped several of my likes and loves , he will be missed. We need 100s more quality teachers like him for todays youth.
My heart felt thanks for having you teach and touch my life Mr. Roper. My prayers go out to all in his family . Thank you to his family and to Mr. Roper, for giving and sharing his knowledge and time with us !
~~
Penny-Panayiota-Nakis-Kanakis
San Rafael, California
Joel Fontaine
April 8, 2014
I am so sorry to read of Mr. Roper's death. He was my sixth grade teacher at Madison in 1968, I think his first year there. He is in my fond thoughts and memories very often, because he was the first teacher to make me feel welcome in a classroom, to show me that he understood I had good qualities, even though I was terrible at math and spelling, had attention deficit, was always blurting out irrelevant jokes and comments,and so on. His patience and encouragement meant everything to me at a very rough time in my life. He was absolutely the special teacher in my life, and I am so very grateful for him. I remember him as an enormously generous, thoughtful, kind man.
Molly Gleason-Kodama
April 6, 2014
Mr. Roper was the epitome of a teacher. He was concerned about his students, articulate and erudite, and everything a young person could hope for in a role model. I had him for fifth grade at Madison. Kristina and family, I am so sorry for your loss.
Marc Anthony
April 6, 2014
Perhaps the one legacy any teacher could hope for is that he is remembered fondly by his students. Mr. Roper was my 6th grade teacher at Madison. He was a man who had great tolerance for his students and a sincere passion for teaching. My condolences go out to his family. Mr. Roper--you are remembered. Regards, Marc Anthony, Dept. of Linguistics, National Taiwan University.
Cindy Honig-Fong
April 6, 2014
So sorry to read this. Mr. Roper was my first teacher in California. I was in his 5th grade class and was in the last class to graduate from Madison. I loved the sightseeing walks in the neighborhood (the old church was my favorite), playing the SF street name game was also a highlight. My husband had Mr Roper 4 years before I did.
So sorry for your loss. Please know that he was thought of fondly and often.
April 6, 2014
I had Mr. Roper for 5th grade at Andrew Jackson Elementary School. I had just transferred to the school, and Mr. Roper made my transition to the school much easier. He was my first male teacher, knew his academics, was funny, talked lovingly about his family and Sweden, and even wore clogs occasionally to school. I feel honored to have had Mr. Roper in my life. My condolences to the Roper family.
Wendy Lee Bergmann
Walnut Creek, CA
Rufino Santos
April 6, 2014
My condolences. He was / is one of only a few teachers that I still think of. Especially when passing by his old place on Turk Street. He is the one that gave me the nickname Ruff Ruff in the 6th grade (Madison 1972) that many of my friends still call me. Rest in peace, Me. Roper.
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