Around 1:00 am on March 16, 2017, we lost one of the world’s great men, a leader among leaders, our very own Bob Loup.
In the early 1990s, through his efforts in spearheading a critical fundraising effort, Denver’s native son was instrumental in ensuring that the JCC overcame critical financial challenges. When he discovered that the organizational leadership chose to recognize his contribution by naming the JCC after him, he was chagrined and somewhat embarrassed. Although Bob loved the JCC with a fervent devotion, he was a humble, unassuming man, and had little interest in public acclaim.
Through his tireless volunteerism, Bob assumed a role of one of America’s foremost Jewish philanthropists and national leaders, and while he held court with many of the world’s most powerful leaders, Bob never lost his innate humility. He always put the interests of his community first, becoming a figure of extraordinary distinction. Nationally, he served with honor on the boards of UJA, JAFI, CLAL, and JDC. Securing the safety of Israel was among his highest, unwavering priorities, and Bob visited the country numerous times to ensure the Jewish state’s well-being and security.
While it is true that the JCC held a special place in Bob’s heart, Bob also provided local leadership to other key organizations in the Jewish community, including JEWISHcolorado (Honorary/Emeritus), Shalom Cares, Kavod Senior Life, and the Institute for the Study of Israel in the Middle East (ISIME) at the University of Denver’s Josef Korbel School of International Studies.
In 2016 the JCC Hineni Award was renamed the Robert E. Loup Hineni Award, ensuring that his name will forever be linked with the highest award that the organization can bestow in recognition of extraordinary local and global service. True to form, Bob had to be cajoled and corralled into accepting the acknowledgement, yet the fact remains that Bob Loup epitomized everything that Hineni stands for in the Jewish tradition, answering the call of community, and inspiring legions of others to do the same.
While the world is an emptier and colder place without him, Bob’s legacy of integrity, righteousness, unpretentiousness, selflessness, kindness, humor, and humanity inspires us to perform acts of tikkun olam in his name and his honor, and in so doing, the ripples of his altruism will pass from generation to generation.
Bob Loup’s funeral will be held this Sunday, March 19 at 12:00 pm at the Hebrew Education Alliance (HEA), 3600 S Ivanhoe Street Denver, CO 80237.
The JCC Denver mourns with Bob’s wife Robyn Loup, his children: Cathy (Roy Langbord) Loup, James (Diane) Loup, Wendy Loup (Marty) Fleisher, Shari Loup (Steve) Draghi, and Rebecca (Pete) Stuart, and his grandchildren: Coby Loup, Maxx Loup, Madison Loup, William (Brooke) Sockolov, Jennifer Sockolov, Benjamin Sockolov, Zachary Stuart, and Nathan Stuart.
Zichrono L’vracha – may his memory be for a blessing.
Make a donation to the Robert E. Loup Jewish Community Center of Denver in his memory.
