Rory Dee Schropp, 65, passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones in the Lindsborg Community Hospital on November 6, 2022. He was born May 6, 1957, to loving parents Harold and Frances (Hawk) Schropp in Lyons, Kansas.

Family was always the most important thing to Rory. He adored his parents, siblings, and extended family, and always had a close emotional connection with family pets. Throughout his childhood Rory loved anything with an engine, and was extremely passionate about music. A natural-born, talented musician, he played drums from a young age, and joined multiple rock and roll bands in his teen and early adult years, where he drummed and sang.

He was drawn to the outdoors, working with his hands, and loved the thrill of motor sports. He mastered skillful driving through practice on go-carts, dirt bikes, and motorcycles. Some of which were hand-built by his father. Rory eventually moved on to working on cars, and later in life, heavy equipment. He loved to go on fishing trips to Lake Havasu with his brother, Lonny, their father, Harold, his uncle Dean, and his grandfather. It was those trips where he learned to water ski and became enthusiastic about boating and water sports.

Rory graduated from Alta Loma High School in Alta Loma, California in 1975, where he was part of the Alta Loma High School Drumline, and marching band. Following graduation he moved with his family to Assaria, KS, where he attended Bethany College as a music major. He soon joined his father in the family highway construction business, Schropp Company, Inc. Working alongside his father and uncle in the family business, Rory was a heavy equipment operator, and taught himself to perform the mechanical repairs of the equipment. After 20 years in business Schropp Company, Inc. closed shop, and Rory started his own trucking business. He spent the remainder of his years being the dedicated hard worker he had always been.

Raising four children, and being a loving, adventurous and playful father was his most important role. While raising his family Rory shared his passion for music, motor sports, and animals with his children. When relaxing with his family on the weekends, there were often rock and roll records being played in the house. He always had instruments around, and played the drum set for his kids often, and always encouraged his children to be involved in making and appreciating music. Like his father, he hand-built his children a go-cart, giving them the same thrill of driving and motor sports. He enjoyed taking his family boating and jet skiing, and spending time outdoors surrounded by extended family.

Rory maintained his hobbies and continued to share them with his adult children, even playing in a band for several years with his youngest son. He taught himself the bass and electric guitar. The latter of which became his greatest musical love. He could still be found enjoying music with his kids or engaging in “jam sessions” with his sons until the very end of his life.

Rory was a kind and generous soul. He was a loving, protective, proud father, brother, son, and friend. Rory was a man who voiced his love, affection, and appreciation any time he spoke to you. To know him was to love him, and to be loved in return.

Rory is survived by his four children, Anthony Montalbano (41), Brooklyn, NY, Nicholas Ely-Schropp, (38), Lindsborg, KS, Shandi Schropp-Olson (Eli) (36), Lindsborg, KS, and Ian Schropp (35) Lindsborg, KS; grandchildren, Kelly, Dakota, Tirzah, and Wade Ely, and Braylon, Amaya, and Jaxton Olson; great-grandchildren, Gavin and Colton Kinney; siblings, Lonny Schropp (Jackie), Assaria, KS, Jona Schropp, Lindsborg, KS, and Jeremy Schropp, Eugene, OR; along with many cousins, nieces, nephews, great nieces, and nephews, and other extended family members and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, Frances Joan Schropp (Hawk) and Harold Dee Schropp, and first wife and mother of his children, Cynthia Lee Crable.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, November 12, 2022, at Ryan Mortuary in Salina, KS. Visitors can come as early as 1:00 p.m. for viewing and to say final good-byes. Memorials may be made to Tammy Walker Cancer Center in Salina, care of Ryan Mortuary.

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