Roy T. Tope, 85, of Woodburn, Indiana, passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 23, 2024, at Golden Years Nursing Home, surrounded by his loving family.

Roy was born on April 21, 1939, in Connersville, Indiana, to the late Roy and Helen (Richardson) Tope and grew up in Glenwood, Indiana. A dedicated scholar, he graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, setting the stage for a distinguished career.

Following college, Roy was drafted into the U.S. Army, where he served honorably and worked with the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission in Washington, D.C., for two years. He went on to have a fulfilling 40-year career as an engineer with International Harvester, later Navistar. His expertise and dedication earned him licensure as a professional engineer in the state of Indiana.

On June 21, 1968, Roy married the love of his life, Nancy Ellert, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Together, they shared a beautiful life filled with love, family, and shared adventures. Roy was a man of diverse interests and passions, including automobile racing—especially the Indy 500 and Formula 1—steam train excursions, model trains, bicycling, history, Bible study, and cheering for Purdue sports.

A devout member of the Antwerp, Ohio, congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses, Roy lived a life of faith and service. Both before and after retiring, he and Nancy enjoyed traveling extensively, often spending their winters in Florida.
Roy will be remembered for his unwavering kindness, his intellectual curiosity, and his devotion to his family and faith. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 56 years, Nancy; his son, Terry Tope of Chicago; and a host of extended family members and dear friends.

A memorial service to celebrate Roy's life will be held on Sunday, December 8, 2024, at 4:00 PM, with visitation beginning one hour prior, at Fairhaven Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 6557 N. Clinton Street, Fort Wayne, IN 46825.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Roy's honor.