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In Memory of Jack Van Lopik

Jack-Van-Lopik

Jack Van Lopik
February 25, 1929 — July 31, 2015

Jack Van Lopik, former Louisiana Sea Grant executive director, died on Friday, July 31, 2015. He was 86.

Dr. Van Lopik was born Feb. 25, 1929, in Holland, Michigan. He was preceded in death by his wife, Annagreta Hojhdal Van Lopik; parents Gerrit (Guy) M. Van Lopik and Minnie (Grunst) Van Lopik; and stepson Charles Manning. He was a U. S. Army veteran serving as a meteorologist.

He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in 1950 from Michigan State College, Master of Science in 1953 and Ph.D. in 1955 in geology from Louisiana State University (LSU). He was widely published in scientific journals on subjects ranging from lunar surface analysis, remote sensing, coastal land loss, and sedimentation and land building in the Mississippi Delta.

He worked as a hydraulics engineer for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Waterways Experiment Station in Vicksburg, Mississippi, and in the science service division at Texas Instruments in Dallas, Texas, before returning to LSU in 1968 to implement the Louisiana Sea Grant College Program. Dr. Van Lopik was instrumental in promoting research in various marine science programs while director of LSU’s Center for Wetland Resources from 1976-1991. He was also instrumental in the study of environmental impacts on the Louisiana Offshore Oil Port (LOOP).

Dr. Van Lopik was executive director of the Louisiana Sea Grant program from 1968-2005. He was the longest-serving state Sea Grant director in the national network. Dr. Van Lopik was instrumental in establishment in 1994 of the Louisiana Sea Grant John P. Laborde Endowed Chair for Sea Grant Research and Technology Transfer.

Dr. Van Lopik was a philanthropist and contributed to multiple non-profit organizations ranging from veterans organizations to New Orleans jazz. He was an aficionado of traditional New Orleans jazz, as well as a donor supporting organizations that promoted it. He was a charter member of the World War II Museum.

He was a member of numerous professional organization, including, but not limited to, the Gulf of Mexico Fisheries Management Council, American Association for Advancement of Science Fellows, American Association of Petroleum Geologists, Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission, Society of American Military Engineers, Member of the Geological Society of America, Advisory Council for the LSU Press and the National Conference on the Advancement of Research.

Memorial Service Information:

A memorial service will be held at Greenoaks Funeral Home on Thursday, Aug. 20, 2015 at 10 a.m. Inurnment will follow on the grounds of Greenoaks Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Louisiana Sea Grant College Program though the LSU Foundation.

Greenoaks Funeral Home and Memorial Park
9595 Florida Blvd
Baton Rouge, LA 70815
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