Allan Topp Obituary
Randy was a graduate of Vanderbilt University in 1975 with a double major in Economics and Latin American Studies. After graduating he began a 20-year career in the U.S. Navy piloting P-3 Orions, serving on the USS Constellation, and serving as XO/CO of Training Squadron Six (VT-6). He retired from military service with the rank of Commander in 1996 and continued his professional career with the Raytheon Company in Tucson, AZ, before fully retiring in 2018 to spend more time with his family.
A voracious consumer of knowledge, Randy obtained an MBA from the University of New Hampshire and an MS in Electrical Engineering and an MS in Systems Technology (Space Systems Operations) from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA. He is a named inventor on multiple patents from his time with Raytheon.
From the time he was a young boy, Randy often had a playful glimmer in his eyes and a sly grin on his face. That look was usually followed by a mischievous, or sometimes even outlandish, plan. This same spirit carried through to his time with his grandchildren, with whom he was excited to experience life. He introduced them to new adventures like horseback riding, whitewater rafting, visiting the rodeo, and attending cowboy cookouts. He appreciated the lifestyle of Tucson, hosting family and friends to introduce them to the Sonoran desert culture, including enjoying the occasional Sonoran hot dog.
Randy is preceded in death by his parents Dr. Allan C. Topp and Sara Shelnutt Topp, and his sister Jane "Jae" K. Topp.
In a lifetime filled with accomplishments, his legacy and source of his greatest joy were always his family and friends. He is survived by his former wife Anne, his children Aaron (Stefanie), Chris, and Annie, his four beloved grandchildren Amelie, Henry, Isabella, and Eleanor, and numerous extended family and friends that he held dear.
A memorial service will be held in Atlanta, GA, in the near future with details to be shared at a later time.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Victor R Williams
July 3, 2023
Our family moved into the Castlewood heighborhood down the street from the Topps in the early 1960's. Went to Morris Brandon Elementary and Northside High with Randy. The neighborhood was a great place to grow up. We also knew the Topps thru Georgia Tech as Randy's father was in the Chemistry Department at Tech while my father was in the Physics department. I remember us going swimming with Randy in the pool at Tech. My sister called the deep pool since it has no shallow end that we were used to. Will miss seeing Randy at NHS reunions.
Victor (Vic) Williams
Ron Jenkins
June 21, 2023
Saddened to read about Shipmate Randy. We worked some challenging and fun projects together at Raytheon. His sense of humor and strategic mind kept us all moving -
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Barbara Chandler
June 20, 2023
Attended Morris Brandon, Northside high and Vanderbilt with Randy! He was smart and quick witted! Condolences to his family!
Jane Polk
June 20, 2023
Missy and family, I am so very sorry to hear of Randy's passing. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Christina Valencia
June 19, 2023
For a lot of elementary school and middle school, Randy´s house was my second home. I mean, I never called him Randy. He was Mr. Topp, Annie´s Dad, to me. I basically spent my weekends at their house and I definitely have fond memories of being with their family.
I feel like I don´t even know how so much time has possibly past already since his kids and I were in school. It´s crazy. I understand we all have to continue to age, but I do feel Mr. Topp was taken too soon...
I know how much his family loves him and I know this is a tremendous loss. I pray for them to find their way without him physically here any longer, and I pray for Mr. Topp to be at peace.
Robin Burke Bennett
June 19, 2023
I knew Randy in High School and always enjoyed his wit and intelligence. Sincere condolences to his family.
MIKE BARTON
June 19, 2023
LT RANDY TOPP, VP44, 1980, KADENA
Glenn Lanzer
June 19, 2023
Rest in peace friend. I served with Randy on the USS Constellation. A very smart and fun loving character. Thanks for all the great memories.
Bob Smith
June 19, 2023
Randy was my squadron-mate in VP-44 in the late 1970s; professional, great pilot, but also one of the "fun" guys every group needs to keep everything in perspective and moving together. Met him again years later while with Raytheon, and he was still the same great guy. His obit picture captures perfectly his confidence and enjoyment of life and others, especially family and friends. Truly a man to be admired, I'm happy to have known him.
Kraus Helen
June 19, 2023
Randy was a high school friend of mine and we always enjoy doing adventures during high school and would see each other during our college years. He was always so smart and so quick witted that I enjoyed being with him so much. I kept up with him over the years through our high school reunions, and he was also always attending with so much joy. My best to his family, children and grandchildren, for they had a very special dad and grandfather.
Gail Heyman
June 19, 2023
There was always something interesting to talk about with Randy! He was well versed in many subjects. I particularly enjoyed hearing his views on engineering. We always enjoyed seeing him at Northside High School Reunions. He was a best friend of Edward Krugman and will be missed.
Janet Shannon
June 19, 2023
I had the pleasure of living next door to the Topp´s for many years. Randy was a good neighbor and friend. He adored his family and they adored him. The day we moved in was his retirement from the military and he brought Annie over to meet our daughter. He was such a loving father. My heart breaks for his family and you are all in my prayers.
June Shelnutt
June 19, 2023
Randy was a good cousin and a good man who loved his family and, in return, was loved by them. I feel sure he planned to share many more conversations and adventures with them. Treasure the memories!
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