Dr. Raymond K. Bopp

Raymond Karl Bopp 89, passed away peacefully into the arms of our Lord at his home in Mansfield
Center on June 2, 2020. His death was not COVID-19 related. He was born December 17, 1930, the son
of the late Ferdinand and Marie (Christofersen) Bopp of Kirkwood, Missouri. On September 11, 1954 he
married the love of his life Jacqueline (Bergmann) Bopp whom he met while they were both students at
Valparaiso University.
After graduating from Valparaiso University in 1952 he attended Vanderbilt University School of
Medicine graduating in 1956. He began his surgical residency at Yale-New Haven Medical Center in
1956. From 1957-1958 he was a cardiovascular research fellow working with Dr. William Glenn on the
clinical use of the membrane oxygenator and coronary blood flow during extracorporeal circulation.
Having completed two years, he enlisted in the Air Force where he was assigned to the 47 th Tactical
Hospital, RAF Station Sculthorpe, England from 1958-1960. He returned to New Haven to complete his
surgical training. This was an exciting time in the early development of the heart-lung bypass machine
now routinely used in open heart surgical procedures.
In 1964 during the Vietnam Conflict he returned to active duty in the United States Air Force and was
stationed at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois where he was Chief of General, Thoracic and Cardiac Surgery.
He received numerous Air Force Commendations including the First Oak Leaf Cluster, the Second Oak
Leaf Cluster and Third Oak Leaf Cluster. Following his honorable discharge in 1969 he moved his family
to Mansfield Center, Connecticut. He joined William Whalen, MD and James Major, MD both former
Yale-New Haven Surgical residents in the Windham Surgical Group in Willimantic, CT. This was a robust
practice and Ray brought the addition of thoracic and vascular surgery. He served on numerous
committees and was Chief of Surgery at Windham Community Memorial Hospital from 1982-1987.
Dedication to healing sick patients brought him great satisfaction as well as participating in the
education of the Yale surgical residents who rotated in their second year of training at WCMH.
The move to Mansfield Center, CT in 1969 fulfilled a life dream for Ray and Jackie. Ray’s father designed
and built their house and Jackie’s father designed and maintained the numerous rose and flower
gardens. The property is on the highest point in Mansfield which provides beautiful views of
Connecticut. “The Hill” as it was commonly known became the setting for garden parties, Fourth of July
celebrations, weddings, and baptisms.
After his retirement in 1995 Ray and Jackie kept busy with travel to Europe, Russia and throughout the
United States. The best trips were those to Oregon to visit their grandchildren, Karl and Katy. They
would often go to Black Butte Ranch where they rode bikes, hiked and wrote poetry. He also was able to
take two trips on his “bucket list”. The first was the Oregon Trail which he drove with Carl Schmidt (the
father of his son in law). The second was a voyage on a Russian Ice Breaker to the Arctic Circle with
friends from Mansfield. He continued helping in the medical field with his involvement in the Orphan
Grain Train. This project had been established to bring medical supplies to impoverished countries. Ray
and Pastor Scott Schutte would travel in his red pickup truck to Windham Hospital and physician offices
to collect supplies that would eventually be sent to patients in need in Russia.

He was predeceased by his parents, his older brother Ferdinand Bopp of Union, Missouri and his
younger brother Irving Bopp of Columbia, Tennessee. He is survived by his wife Jackie of 66 years, three
children Sandra (Charles) Kinsella, Jeffrey (Donna) Bopp and Ellen (Glen) Schmidt, grandchildren Karl and
Katy Schmidt, nieces Tina (John) Guerra, Karen (Tom) Andersen and Susan (Doug) Keegans and nephews
Steve and Chris Bopp.
The family wishes to thank the numerous compassionate caregivers who provided care to both Ray and
Jackie during the past eight years.
Due to the COVID -19 pandemic the memorial service is delayed until July 25. The family invites friends
to join and celebrate Ray’s life and legacy at the place he held most dear, his home on “The Hill” in
Mansfield Center, CT. There will be a Memorial Service beginning at noon followed by a Celebration of
Life Reception.
Donations can be made to The Pre-Medical Science Endowment Fund at Valparaiso University. Ray and
his classmate Carl Brighton, MD established the fund in 1978. Simply go to give.valpo.edu, choose other
and write in Pre-Medical Science Endowment Fund. To indicate this is a tribute to him please enter his
name in the tribute section. The fund supports a lecture series for undergraduate premedical students.
Arrangements are being handled by Potter Funeral Home. For an online memorial guestbook and
further details please visit www.potterfuneralhome.com.

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