Donald Rokop Obituary

Donald (Don) Joseph Rokop, a loving husband and father, passed away at the age of 86 on July 25, 2025. Don was born on May 15, 1939, in Aurora, IL to Joseph Rokop and Margaret McLennan Rokop. He graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Physics and Mathematics from Lake Forest College in 1961 where he was an All-Conference wrestler. After graduating he accepted a position at Argonne National Laboratory, where he met his future wife, Sue. Their first date was to a White Sox double-header (although he and Sue were both Cub fans!) and a few short months later they were married on November 28, 1964. Together he and Sue adopted three children: Kathleen (Kathy), James, and Tai.

Don worked as an analytical mass spectrometrist at Argonne National Laboratory in IL for 17 years. Following that he was a physicist at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) from 1978 until his retirement in 1999 where he specialized in high sensitivity mass spectrometry. While at LANL he was elected to the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) sub-committee on atomic weights and worked on the certification of isotopic composition of elements; was the principal organizer and founder of the tri-annual “A.O. Nier Symposium on Inorganic Mass Spectrometry”; received the Antarctica Service Medal from the National Science Foundation for his contributions to exploration and scientific achievement under the United States Antarctic Research Program; and received two Excellence in Nuclear Weapons Program awards. Over the course of his accomplished career, he authored or co-authored over 100 publications and was a frequent speaker at symposia.

Not only did Don love his children, he loved kids in general and demonstrated that by cheering loudly at his children’s sporting activities, coaching Little League baseball, serving on the Little League Board, refereeing high school wrestling and basketball, and serving on the scholarship committee of the NNMSMGA. Of special joy and pride were his annual trips to Davis, CA to see his granddaughters Sophia and Madi participate in their synchronized swimming show! Don started playing golf as a child and this sport became his passion. Once retired he played three to four times a week and served as the President of the Northern New Mexico Senior Men’s Golf Association (NNMSMGA). A proud moment was his Hole-In-One on hole #15 at the Los Alamos golf course. Don and Sue enjoyed traveling and Don was fortunate to visit all seven continents. He particularly enjoyed Africa and Antarctica.

Don was known for his smile, sense of humor, and infectious laugh. His family knew he was enjoying himself or that a party was going well when he started laughing. It was often said his laugh could be heard all over the Los Alamos golf course!

Don was preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Margaret Rokop; brother Richard Rokop; sister Patricia Schnick; in-laws Francis and Mabel Mandeville; brother-in-law Tom Mandeville; and brother-in-law Paul Mandeville. He is survived by Sue, his

wife of 60 years; daughter Kathy; son James (Kristin); son Phan Van Tai (Lai Ming Woo); granddaughters Sophia and Madeleine Rokop and Jasmine Tai; sister Margaret Gould (Howard Owen); brother Dennis Rokop (Char); sister-in-law Carol Thurmond; sister-in-law Mary Mandeville-Chase (Peter); sister-in-law Jean Terdic (Dan); numerous nephews and nieces; and a legion of great nephews and nieces.

A rosary and Mass will be celebrated at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Los Alamos, NM on Saturday, August 9, 2025. Rosary will start at 10:30 a.m., Mass at 11:00 a.m., followed by burial and reception.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Advanced Health Care in Albuquerque for their exceptional care of Don.

Donations may be made to the Don Rokop Memorial Golf Scholarship Fund (please write checks out to Kathy Rokop with DRMGSF noted in the for/memo line).

Don will be dearly missed. He led an incredible life and knew how to enjoy it wholeheartedly.