Born January 27, 1941, in Port Deposit, MD to Grace Anna (Bullock) and Richard V Ropka Sr. The family moved to Elizabethtown, PA in 1950 where he attended Elizabethtown Area High School, graduating in 1959. He proudly served in the USAF from 1961-1965 where he received the Good Conduct Medal and a Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon.
After receiving an honorable discharge from the Air Force, Buzz worked as an electrician for several companies before starting his own business in the HVAC industry. Having attempted retirement a few times and failing, he entered the world of asphalt and worked for an asphalt company as their plant mechanical engineer before finally retiring at 78 in 2019. Always up for an adventure, Buzz enjoyed several motorcycle trips, one of which took him from their home in Florida to his son's home in Alaska, camping out along the way. His greatest joy was anything involving his grandchildren, bragging about each one at every opportunity. He enjoyed getting to know people and never met a stranger. He was active in his church from teaching the children's lesson to the county fair with the community services group where he shared Jesus and the message of hope with anyone he could. He was most recently a member of the Triadelphia Seventh-day Adventist Church in Clarksville, MD. Buzz had a genuine “can do” spirit and loved to have fun. He saw humor in most things – even when others may not. He will be missed by so many and leaves a huge hole in our hearts and world. Most keenly by the love of his life, Connie.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years Connie S. Ropka, currently living in Columbia, MD. Three brothers, Mark Ropka of Chehalis, WA; Stu (Kathy) Ropka of Ashland, AL; Emmord (Bev) Ropka of Ashland, AL.
He is also survived by four children; Donald E Ropka (Tricia) of Palmer, AK; Elizabeth A Roberts (Richard) of Columbia, MD; T Mathew Ropka (Angela) of Carlisle, PA, and Richard F Ropka (Chanin) of Battlefield, MO.
Nine grandchildren; Caleb N. Roberts (Lee Caitlin); Abigail A. Ropka; Garrett D. Ropka; Jacob A. Ropka; Rebekah V, Ropka; Grace A. Ropka; Samantha R. Ropka; Joshua B. Roberts and Luke A. Roberts. One great-grandchild arriving October 2023.
A visitation for family and friends will be held on Monday, August 7 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Witzke Funeral Homes Inc., 5555 Twin Knolls Road, Columbia, MD 21045, followed by a memorial service at 2:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Blue Mountain Academy https://www.bma.us/donate or Gilchrist Center Howard County at https://gilchristcares.org/donate.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.witzkefuneralhomes.com for the Ropka family.
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