FORMER Munro College headmaster Richard Roper’s life of service, sacrifice and devotion to education was on Friday celebrated by family members and friends who described him as an “innovational leader” who put Munro “ahead of its time”.

Roper, who served as headmaster from 1955-1982, died on August 10. He was 89. He was chronicled as one whose greatness manifested in who he was: his character, his values, his convictions, and spirit.

Lifelong friend Dr Alfred Sangster, who delivered a fervent eulogy and remembrance inside the Richard B Roper Auditorium at Munro College in St Elizabeth, credited Roper with the transformation of the famous all-boys high school from one for the privileged and elite into a community that welcomed the new generation of “free place” students.

“Richard Roper was an extremely hard worker and the lights could often be seen burning in his study late at night. His involvement covered every aspect of school life. He was a superb hands-on and innovative manager,” he said.

Sangster also remembered him as a “family man and Christian statesman” who had a deep desire to share his Christian faith with all he came in contact with.

“Richard Roper was a servant par excellence and, above all, the ambassador for Jesus, his Lord and Saviour.

“In the times in which we live and in which traditional family life and its values are being questioned, Richard Roper’s commitment to family values is unchallenged,” Sangster told mourners, including politicians, diplomats and old boys, who turned out for the two-hour-long service for the man affectionately called “Dick”.

Tributes flowed from friends and family members, including his eldest of three sons — Jonathan — who described him as a loving disciplinarian who candidly gave of himself to the Munro community.

Minister of Education and Information Senator Ruel Reid noted that Roper, during his capacity as headmaster, lived and served society well.

“For many years my association with Munro was influenced by Richard B Roper who, as a young first former, was my principal. As would have been expressed, he was a great leader, a Christian gentleman, a gentleman of the highest character and integrity. He not only spoke well, but he lived by his own words and principles. It was not about do as I say, but you could literally follow through with doing what he said to us.

“He has influenced a lot of Munronians who have risen to great heights in our country and across the world, and that’s a great contribution that I think [he] has made to the education system to the lives of young Jamaicans. And I think the society and the world have been better for the fact that Richard lived and served so well,” he told the

Jamaica Observer.

State minister in the Ministry of Education Floyd Green added that Roper’s years of service through education played a central role in shaping the lives of those who came in direct and indirect contact with him.

“Mr Roper is the sort of principal and man who really transcended generations. For a lot of us young Munronians, he never served while we were here, but his legacy touched us every day, and his wife, Merle, was very close to the school and remains close to the school. Jamaica has lost a legend who has shaped a number of young men’s lives and the institution which we are so proud of today,” he said.

Roper was interred at the school.