Tribute
In Memoriam
JOHN TOPPING 1923-2021
On Tuesday, March 9th, The Ripon Society lost a was one of the first to call for strong steps to cut down founding member and past President of the organization involuntary exposure to cigarette smoke. when John Topping Jr. of Bethesda, Maryland passed In 1986, John founded the Climate Institute, the first away at the age of 78. John was one of the original international organization to address climate change, founding members of the Ripon Society on the campus where he served as President until his passing. John of Harvard University in 1962 and helped to revive served as Editor for portions of a First Assessment Report the organization in 1981. Those who knew him said by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change he relished at announcing that the once small-time (IPCC) and was the lead author of the impacts on human Ripon Society of Cambridge, Massachusetts had settlement, industry and transport sections. For his efforts become a national on this front, John organization. was recognized by the He began his IPCC with a certificate lifetime of public for contributing to service by earning the award of their his bachelor’s Nobel Peace Prize degree from of 2007. In addition Dartmouth College to contributing followed by a law to numerous degree from Yale publications and University. His writings, he was also education led him the co-author of the to serve in the U.S. Clean Air Handbook Air Force as a Judge on U.S. air pollution Advocate General’s law and editor of two Corps (JAG) volumes on climate Officer. His Air change. In 2002, Force colleagues, John was recognized many of whom for his contributions John was one of the original remained life-long to the Environment founding members of the Ripon friends, fondly recall as the first recipient Society on the campus of Harvard Sunday brunch of Dartmouth’s Dr. conversations University in 1962 and helped to revive Martin Luther King with John at the Jr. Social Justice the organization in 1981. Andrews Air Force Award for Lifetime Base Officers Club Achievement. discussing future career plans to help make the world In addition to his public service outside of politics, a better place. he also spent countless hours helping to improve Following his service in the Air Force, John the Republican Party by offering new policy ideas, continued his life of public service by working in a writing strategy papers, and connecting the Party to number of roles. He worked as Staff Director of the the academic world. John developed a reputation for President’s Advisory Council on Minority Business his tireless yet joyful demeanor and approach to his Enterprise and as Chief Counsel of the U.S. Commerce work and the causes he cared deeply about. He leaves Department’s Office of Minority Business Enterprise. behind the legacy of a common sense approach to good In his role as Staff Director at the Environmental governance and a lifetime of public service. He will be Protection Agency’s Office of Air & Radiation, John dearly missed. RF 22
RIPON FORUM May 2021