Ronald Shoop

Ronald Shoop, 84, of Urbandale, IA passed away on January 19, 2017, at the Urbandale Health Care Center. Ron was born in Anamosa, IA in 1932 and grew up in Fort Madison, IA. Graduating from Ft. Madison High School in 1950, he then attended Iowa State College in Ames, IA on a football scholarship. There he met Frances Lunan and they married in 1954 after they both graduated. While at Iowa State College, he started a career in radio and television at WOI before moving to KRNT (now KCCI) and becoming Director of Sports until 1965. Ron was honored as the National Sportscaster of the Year in 1964. From that time until his retirement, Ron worked as a sales representative for a Des Moines paper and printing supply company. In the 1970’s and 1980’s he was a familiar face at Charlie’s Showplace in Des Moines, performing in the Odd Couple and Fiddler on the Roof among many other shows. Ron also appeared in and supplied voiceovers for local TV and radio commercials as well as recording Books for the Blind. He enjoyed his retirement years reading most of the books in the Urbandale Library. Ron is survived by his wife of 62 years Fran, daughter Kristin (Scott) Duerfeldt, sons Kevin (Linda) Shoop and Kelin, grandson Adam (Katie) Duerfeldt and great grandson Hank. An informal gathering of friends and family to celebrate Ron's life will be held at the NW Community Center, 5110 Franklin Ave, Des Moines, IA on Saturday, February 18th from 2 to 4:30 PM. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Memory of Ronald Shoop to the Urbandale Library.