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JOHN TOPPING Obituary
JOHN CARRUTHERS TOPPING, JR.
On Tuesday, March 9, 2021 of Bethesda, MD. Born April 18, 1943 in Wilkinsburg, PA to the late John Carruthers Topping, Sr. and Barbara Ann Murray Topping. John earned his B.A. from Dartmouth College and law degree from Yale. He was a JAG in the USAF; Staff Director of the President's Advisory Council on Minority Business Enterprise; Chief Counsel, U.S. Commerce Department Office of Minority Business Enterprise; and Staff Director at EPA's Office of Air & Radiation. In 1986 he founded the Climate Institute, the first international organization to address climate change, and served as President until his death. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change recognized him for contributing to their Nobel Peace Prize Award.John is survived by his three loving children, John C. Topping, III (spouse, Kazue Muroi), Elizabeth B. Topping (spouse, David Gottfried) and Alexandra Van Beek (spouse, Jeremy Van Beek). He is the proud grandfather of Luke, Olivia, Stella, Grant, Charlie and Josephine; and the cherished brother of Dr. Trexler Topping.Service and interment will be private. For full obituary and to read and sign the family guest book, please visit: www.PumphreyFuneralHome.com
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Memories and Condolences
for JOHN TOPPING
5 Entries
Stephen R. Rolandi
April 13, 2021
4/13/2021
I knew John through the Ripon Society of the Republican Party, a public policy and research organization in Washington, DC. John served as National President in the late 1970s, and I was on Ripon's executive board in the 1980s and 1990s. He was a true gentleman and devoted public servant. May he rest in peace.
Michael Northrop
April 12, 2021
John, I just learned of your passing. Your kindness, mentor ship, and loving concern for others and for the most important issue of our time will be sorely missed. Thank you for your support and good works. With great fondness and love,
Ruth Greenspan Bell
March 16, 2021
Very sorry to learn of John's death. I learned a great deal from him in his role as climate expert and activist. He was always in good humor; always a smile on his face -- despite the seriousness of the subject matter. Its a real shame he won't be around as this new Administration tries to get to work on this vexing problem. He will be remembered.
Helen Bernice Cartledge Mason
March 14, 2021
As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.
Karen Coshof
March 14, 2021
I met John about 17 years ago, when I was producing a film about climate change. He invited me to speak at a conference he hosted. He was the most wonderful man; kind, humorous, passionate about the climate cause. I remember visiting the Institute in Washington for a meeting with him... somehow he learned it was my birthday, and when I arrived there was a birthday cake for me. I've always remembered this, and think of him often. A truly wonderful person.
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