Longtime Grand Valley State University supporter and Grand Valley University (GVU) Foundation director John D. Wardrop died Friday, June 21 at 82 years old. 

Wardrop was an active donor and supporter of GVSU for over a decade. He served as a GVU Foundation director since 2014 and was a member of the Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies Advisory Cabinet since 2018. Wardrop helped in establishing the mentor program for the center’s Cook Leadership Academy Fellows. 

The Hauenstein Center sent out a tweet on the day of Wardrop’s passing, saying that he was a “devoted mentor to our Cook Leadership Academy students, and a good friend to them all. He will be sorely missed.”

Friends and family remember Wardrop fondly in his obituary, stating that “John loved the ‘Improvement Association’ and was so pleased and honored to be a part of those wonderful individuals, their luncheons, discussions, differences and especially the oatmeal raisin cookies.”

Wardrop is survived by his wife, Maribeth Wardrop, sons Scott and Brett Wardrop, and grandsons Connor, John and Devin Wardrop.