Larry A. Toppert (1950-2022)

TOPPERT, CRANDELL, POLENI, SALLOWS, STUDLEY

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 6/10/2022 at 17:56:46

Larry A. Toppert

August 13, 1950-June 6h, 2022

One of Larry Toppert's favorite sayings was, "Let me tell you this about that." So, to say that Larry was 'one of a kind' is a bold understatement. Larry was East Moline's 1st Ward Alderman, an entrepreneur, an inventor, a farmer, an environmentalist, a chicken enthusiast, a trolley operator, a coach, a loving husband, father, grandfather and best friend and fierce advocate for many.

Larry A. Toppert passed away unexpectedly on June 6th, 2022, at his home. Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 11th, 2022, at St. John's Lutheran Church, 4501 7th Avenue in Rock Island.

Visitation will be from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday at the Wildwood Church, 18717 Hubbard Road in East Moline. Burial will be in the Cordova Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the 'Larry Toppert Memorial Fund' at TBK Bank.

Larry was born August 13th, 1950, the son of Burdette C. "Charlie", and Beverly (Crandall) Toppert. He graduated from Riverdale High School in Port Byron, and Western Illinois University in Macomb.

Larry married Debra Hansen on October 4th, 1975, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Moline, and together they became pioneers and leaders in environmental waste remediation and industrial plant services.

Larry was the vice-chair of the Illini Hospital Board and also vice-chair of the Rock Island County Solid Waste Commission. Larry and Deb were named as the East Moline Citizens of the Year in 2012, and Larry was honored as the Illinois Inventor of the Year in 1993. He was also a member of the Operating Engineers, Local 150, and the American Society of Safety Engineers. Larry was a certified OHSA trainer, and a proud and devoted Democratic Party Precinct Committeeperson in South Moline Township.

Among his other community associations, Larry was a member of Short Hills Country Club and the Lindsay Park Yacht Club. He was also a member of the East Moline Rotary and was honored as a Paul Harris Fellow.

Larry was a dedicated and loyal member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity, which he joined while a student at WIU. He also served on the URICRA board in Upper Rock Island County, and strongly supported girls' sports, coaching softball and basketball for many years.

Larry is survived by his wife Deb of East Moline, daughters, Wes (Scott) Polen of Vernon Hills, Illinois, Ali (Josh) Sallows of Port Byron, grandchildren, Paige and Parker Polen, and Jackson, Peyton and Piper Sallows. Larry is also survived by his brother Bob (Linda) Toppert of Albuquerque, New Mexico, sister Jeane (Tim) Studley of Richardson, Texas, sister-in-law Judy Toppert of Hillsdale, half-sister Michele Mullett of Rock Island (thanks to modern science), bonus daughter and her family, Shandrel, Bobby and Sky Starks of Chicago, and many nieces and nephews.

Larry was preceded in death by his father, Charlie Toppert, mother, Beverly Toppert, stepmother Marge Toppert, brother Charles Toppert, and niece Andrea Studley. Feel free to share a memory or condolence at www.gibsonbodefh.com.

Larry's endless sense of honor and loyalty, and his humor, wit and caring heart will be forever remembered by so many.