Roy Poppe
January 15, 1967 ~ September 22, 2020
Roy J. Poppe, 53, husband of Ayse and Baba (Dad) of Hannah, Marlena, and Benjamin, died peacefully on September 22, 2020, with his family by his side at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy, Hiawatha, after a long battle with colon cancer. Memorial Service: 11 a.m. Saturday, September 26, 2020, at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids. Visitation: 9:30 a.m. Saturday until the service time at the funeral home. Masks and social distancing are required during the visitation and service. Friends and extended family are invited to watch the services via livestream on Facebook. Search for and join the Remembering Roy Poppe Facebook group for more information.
Roy James Poppe was born January 15, 1967, at the Floyd County Hospital in Charles City, Iowa. He was the youngest of seven children of Edmund S. and Alma (Hemmerich) Poppe. He was baptized and confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church in Nashua, Iowa. Roy graduated from Nashua High School in 1985. He joined the Air Force in December of 1985 and left for Keesler Base in Biloxi, Mississippi. The Air Force became his career and he was stationed abroad 16 of his 20 years of service. Some of the countries he lived in were Germany, Italy, Turkey, England, and Arabia, as well as Missouri and Washington in the United States. While stationed in Turkey, Roy met Ayse Tabak. They were united in marriage on December 18, 2002, in Adana, Turkey, having a taxi driver as the witness to their union. They were blessed with three children Hannah, Marlena, and Benjamin. Roy retired from the Air Force in 2006, and they moved to Cedar Rapids where he worked for Windstream until 2016. Roy was a loving husband and Baba, and great friend to many. He learned to drink beer in Germany and never would drink cold American beer, preferring Jack Daniels (except he did enjoy a good PBR). Roy loved to travel and had traveled to 47 of the states, as well as 20 different countries.
Roy is survived by his wife Ayse; three children, Hannah, Marlena, and Benjamin all at home; siblings, Calvin (Nancy) Poppe, Nashua, Sharon (Kenneth) Pinter, Mundelein, Illinois, Glen Poppe, Nashua, Gary (Rhonda) Poppe, Ionia, Beverly (Jim) Haeflinger, Alta Vista, and Joanne (Larry) Tupper, Ionia; many extended family and friends in Turkey; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
In lieu of flowers the family request that memorials be directed to the family to be used for the kids' college fund.
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My condolences to the family of my friend Roy. May god comfort you. Roy will be missed. RIP my friend
I think it was Roy’s first day at Muhl-Zuesch in Germany and he asked me if I could drive. Also, I didn’t drink, then and there he made me his designated driver. Through Pops as I called him, I made many German friends, that I would not have made otherwise. I became their designated driver too. Many I am still friends with today. Pops you have been a true friend and will be dearly missed.
You will be sorely missed my friend. Perhaps we will meet again?
Thank you Roy for a life time of memories. It is an honor to have known you. May you Rest In Peace . I will miss you.
I went to the same high school as Roy, but did not know him then so well. But I found Roy on Facebook and became a friend. I loved Roy’s humor, the love he had for his family and our mutual agreement of political issues:) Roy will be missed by many, me included. I am sad. My heart go out to his beloved wife and his children left behind. So sorry for your loss.
Seni tanidigim gune sukurler olsun. Her zaman kalbimde ve dualarimda olacaksin seni cok seviyorum. Isiklar yoldasin olsun.
Roy and I were assigned to the same tactical communications unit in England. He was an honorable person and was always looking to help in anyway he could. My wife and I are sorry to see he is gone in physical form, but glad to hear he is resting peacefully.
I worked with Roy for many years and enjoyed hearing his stories of time in the service and travels with his family. My condolences and prayers go out to you during your time of grieving.
With love and hugs,
Roy would call school to make sure supports were in place for his kids if needed (always thinking of his kids), but then we’d end up having a wonderful conversation about life and perspective. You wouldn’t think such a conversation would be fun, but somehow Roy made it that way. I’ll miss talking with him, but I loved knowing him that way and knowing that his family was so lucky to have him.
I remember when Roy retired from the Air Force and came to Windstream it was my job to train him. We got to know each other well. We talked about our services in Germany, him being a part of the Air Force and me a part of the Army. We didn’t agree on Politics but made it fun to disagree. We will miss him here at Windstream. I bought him an Easy button off of a commercial Staple’s used to have and placed it on his desk. He will be missed.
I am so sorry for your loss. May his memory be eternal!
Roy took a class at the ymca from me. It was a livestrong at the y. We all loved him and his family. Such nice people. He was a fighter, I was so hopeful he would beat this. I’m sending prayers and love for the family.
Roy was so warm and funny. I’m so glad to have gotten to know him. I’m glad my daughter was able to spend time with your family. My sincere condolences.
Roy and I were stationed together in Germany. With our group of friends, we went to Oktoberfest and many other festivals around Europe. He was a great conversationalist, and he was always fun to be around. I’m sorry he’s gone.
My condolences to Roy’s family. We met all of you through Roy’s big sister, Sharon. My prayers and love go out to all of you. May he Rest In Peace.
My sincerest condolences to Ayse, Hannah, Marlena, and Benjamin. My thought and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Roy taught me a lot as an Airman. He was supportive, patient and kind. It’s during one of those training times I got to meet Ayse. This family has always been warm and welcoming. And I will always be thinking about Roy and his family.