Guenther Georg Popp
November 13, 1949 - February 17, 2024
Our beloved Guenther Popp passed away peacefully in his sleep on February 17, 2024. Guenther was a loving husband, stepfather to two children, Opa to two grandchildren and friend to so many. His jubilant smile, humor and love of life will be greatly missed.
Guenther was born in Nuremberg, Germany in 1949 and came to the United States in 1960
with his parents. His family sailed from Hamburg, Germany to New York City and then drove across the United States in his father’s 1959 Opal station wagon to Salt Lake City where they stayed at Dr. Joseph Stobbe’s mansion on South Temple and 1300 E. Later, his parents bought a house at 623 7th Avenue. Guenther attended Ensign Elementary, Bryant Junior High School and East High School in Salt Lake City. He attended Mount Royal Junior College in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and Utah Technical College. Guenther graduated with an associate degree in business and accounting.
Guenther enjoyed playing sports throughout his lifetime. In his teens, he was an avid tennis, ping pong, pool, racquetball and hand ball player. He also loved to golf. During his freshman year at East High, he was part of the State Championship soccer team.
After high school Guenther worked for Walgreens on South Temple and Main. In 1970, he went to work for the Newspaper Agency Corporation until he retired in 2007. Since retirement Guenther enjoyed traveling with his wife, Rita, including on cruises and many trips around the United States. His favorite cruise was the Baltic cruise where he and Rita visited Berlin, Germany. Guenther also enjoyed working in the yard with his wife, watching movies, listening to music from the 50s to the 90s and he LOVED to dance.
Guenther met his wife Rita in Salt Lake City in 1992. They have lived in South Jordan since 2005 in a home they built. Guenther was active in the South Jordan Senior Center and served as a member of the Senior Advisory Committee since 2021.
He loved people and enjoyed planning activities for seniors. He is survived by his wife Rita, stepdaughter Natasha (husband David Pilz), stepson Andrew and grandchildren Jude and Zia Pilz. Guenther will be missed but never forgotten.
A celebration of life for Guenther will be held Thursday, Feb. 29th, from 11 AM-1 PM at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 S. 900 East, Salt Lake City. Guests are encouraged to use parking and entrance located on the north side of the building.
In Loving Memory
Guenther was a great longtime friend, and he will be missed. We had a great time working on projects together. You could always count on him when an extra hand was needed. May he rest in peace. A friend forever.
Guenther, also liked to be called "Mr Pope" lol, will be dearly missed. His beautiful, positive personality and amazing smile will always be remembered.
Guenther. Jena and I will miss you and all the fun times we had together. Most recently, the Taco Tuesday lunches. You seemed to enjoy that so much, and loved the Diet Coke with lemon slices. We will miss you. Jerry and Jena
I will miss Guenther with his beautiful big smile. Such a warm, crazy guy. He loved talking to his phone AI, joking with her all the time. They worked off each other and that really cracked me up. We'll meet again, dear friend. Save a spot for us. Anna Florin
My world has changed. Frequent laughing, sometimes so intense your stomach would contract and almost hurt (in a good way). The anticipation of a get together. A smile from a man that few people in your life can give you. It would bring forth a warm fuzzy feeling which would brighten your day. Guenther was a good laugh, a good time, a good friend. Him and his wife, Lovely Rita put a sparkle of sunshine in my life. When this macho man thinks of him being gone from this earth my eyes seem to water up with an occasional drip rolling down my cheeks. April of 2022 at the center when a picture was taken the photographer asked if we were a couple. Guenther said yes to my embarrassment , my face going a little red and giggling softly out loud. Guenther said “she knows we are kidding”. I said “ I hope so”. We were Both Happily married to women. I can’t look at the picture without smiling and laughing under my breath. Yes, Guenther I will miss you. I look forward to the time when we will meet again on the other side. Your Friend, Mick Florin
I knew Guenther because his stepdaughter is my son's life partner. I appreciated and enjoyed Guenther's wicked sense of humor, curiosity about so many things, obvious regard for his/our grandkids (who loved him back and always looked forward to his visits), and his obvious love for Rita. "Opa" will definitely be missed, and he leaves a big hole in the world. "In one of the stars I shall be living In one of them I shall be laughing And so it will be as if all the stars were laughing when you look at the sky at night"... The Little Prince St. Exupery
In Loving Memory
