Frederick Cropp III
December 9, 1932 — August 9, 2017
Frederick William Cropp III of Wooster died Wednesday August 9 in Wooster. He was 84.
Fred’s career was marked by unbridled enthusiasm for teaching, both inside and outside the classroom. He influenced thousands of students at Wooster during more than three decades as a professor, and hundreds during 80 10-day raft trips through the Grand Canyon that he organized and led. All told, he spent more than two years of his life sleeping under the stars in the Canyon. For Fred, “see you down the river” was a common greeting.
Fred was born on December 9, 1932, in Wheeling, W.V. to Frederick William Cropp Jr. and Ruth Perkins Cropp. He graduated from The College of Wooster in 1954 and earned his Ph.D. from the University of Illinois in 1958. He taught initially at Illinois before returning to The College of Wooster as a professor in 1964. He taught geology for 34 years, retiring in 1997. He also served as Dean and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Wooster from 1968-77.
Fred was married to Helen Townsend Cropp from 1955 until her death in 1972 and Marian Taylor Belmont-Cropp from 1973-91.
He is survived by his brother Robert; his children Fritz Cropp (Mari), Julie Cropp Mason (Michael), Lauren Kiesel (Jeff), Michael Belmont (Jennifer), Carol Cropp (Jeff Wilson), Allyson Wells (Rich), Jennifer Hansen (David), Tom Cropp (Ellen); 16 grandchildren and one great grandchild.
Services will be held on Saturday, August 19 at 1 P.M. at Scheide Music Hall on The College of Wooster campus with Andries Coetzee of Westminster Presbyterian Church presiding.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to The F.W. Cropp III Endowed Fund for Independent Field Work in Geology at The College of Wooster at Office of Development, The College of Wooster, 1189 Beall Avenue, Wooster, OH 44691.
Gifts may also be made online through the College’s website at www.wooster.edu/give.
Life Celebration
Gault Recital Hall at Scheide Music Center on the College of Wooster
525 E. University St
Wooster, OH 44691
Saturday, August 19, 2017
1:00 PM