James B. Ropp, of Wilmington, Delaware, passed away on Tuesday, December 26, 2023, after a long and courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease.
Jim was born in Wilmington, Delaware on May 5, 1954 to Dr. Walter S. Ropp and Carolyn V. Ropp. He attended Thomas McKean High School, the University of Delaware and The Dickinson School of Law. After graduating law school, Jim served as a Delaware Supreme Court clerk to Justice William Duffy.
After his clerkship, Jim served as a Deputy Attorney General with the State of Delaware Department of Justice retiring in 2011. Jim served as a criminal prosecutor in the Appeals Division, Sex Crimes Unit, Drug Unit, Felony Trial Unit and the Domestic Violence Unit. In 1999, Jim was appointed as Delaware’s Securities Commissioner regulating the State’s broker-dealers and investment advisers. In his capacity, he protected the citizens of Delaware from fraud and abuse by investigating and prosecuting scams and investor complaints. He represented Delaware as a member of the North American Securities Administrators Association (“NASAA”), and served as the Chairman of NASAA’s Enforcement Section. On March 20, 2009, Jim testified before the United States House Committee on Financial Services, urging Congress to support the valuable contributions of state securities regulators in the regulation of the financial industry and strengthening enforcement mechanisms at the state level.
Jim met his wife, Ann, through Wilmington’s legal community. They married in 1993 and enjoyed 30 years of marriage.
Jim loved life. He was fun and even funnier. He will be known for his legendary sense of humor. Nothing tickled Jim more than to hear the laughter of family and friends after delivering a punch line to a joke.
Jim was an avid photographer and photograph developer. He also enjoyed biking, running, traveling and cooking. He delighted in entertaining from small dinner parties, holiday dinners for family and his New Years’ “Eve Eve” parties over the years. Jim and Ann traveled extensively in the United States and the Caribbean. They enjoyed their time each February at their timeshare in St. Martin.
Jim always looked forward to springtime so that he could get out and start riding his bicycle. For many years, he trained and participated in the largest and longest multi-day bicycle touring event in the world known as RAGBRAI, the Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa. Ann later joined Jim in the sport and together they participated in RAGBRAI and many other rides throughout the years.
Jim will mostly be remembered for his kindness, humor and friendship. He was a man of integrity. He will always be cherished by family and friends and will never be forgotten.
Jim was predeceased by his parents, Walter and Carolyn. Jim is survived by his wife of 30 years, Ann, his sister, Patricia Parker (Rick), his brother, Donald Ropp, nephews, Brandon and Kyle and nieces Mariah and Julie.
A visitation will be held on Saturday, January 27, 2024 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the McCrery & Harra Funeral Home, 3924 Concord Pike, Wilmington, DE 19803, with a memorial service beginning at 11:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers donations in Jim’s name can be made to the Penn Medicine Movement Disorders Center, 330 S. 9th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107 or by web at https://www.med.upenn.edu/pdmdc .
The family would like to thank Dr. Andres Deik and the entire staff of the Penn Medicine Movement Disorders Center for their compassionate and devoted care for Jim during his illness, Bayada Hospice whose support over the last months has been so appreciated and invaluable, especially Sandi Mis, RN, Tasey Burton, Chaplain and Paula Gallimore, Social Worker.
