Ollie Joseph Loper

Ollie Joseph Loper of Danville died May 30. He was 89.

Loper was born July 27, 1924 in Washington County, Alabama to Joseph Edward Loper and Lola Copeland Loper. He attended Auburn University before his appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy in June 1943 (class of 1947), a class that included a U.S. President, CIA head and two famous Vietnam POWs (one later a senator, the other a vice presidential candidate).

After graduation in June 1946, Loper served shipboard followed by a tour in post-war London. He completed pilot training and received his wings in August 1950. He married Mildred Norton of Millry, Alabama in February 1951. The Navy moved them frequently, including Washington state; Florida; California; Paris, France (where Ollie served on NATO staff); and finally Washington, D.C. When the Navy hand-picked him to attend MIT for his masters in physics, it set in motion his unique Naval career. Loper retired from the Navy as a Commander in 1970 and joined the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) as a senior scientist, moving the family one last time to Danville, California. His wife (Millie) resumed her career as a high school teacher, with their children Shannon and Larry Loper graduating from San Ramon Valley High School and the University of California system.

After 20 years at LLNL, Loper retired to enjoy travel, church and family time. He is survived by his wife Millie; daughter Shannon (Dever); son Larry and five grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held Sunday, June 8, at 2 p.m. at San Ramon Valley United Methodist Church in Alamo, where Loper was a very active member for nearly 45 years. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Endowment Fund at the church.

As befits his love of the Navy and the influence being an officer had on his entire family, Loper's final resting place will be the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.