Joseph Charles Romportl of Otsego, MN passed away at his home on September 15, 2024. For two weeks he was unable to eat and was complaining of stomach pain. His death will remain a mystery as no autopsy was performed.  The death certificate said he died of natural causes.  

Joe was born in Minneapolis, MN on June 25, 1952. He was adopted by Joseph Romportl, Sr. and Doris Thomas.  They loved him unconditionally and he never wanted for anything. He went to St Joe's elementary school where his mother, Doris served as his Den Mother when he was a Boy Scout. She kept him and his pals busy with many fun-filled activities. He was known as Pepe to his friends and most of his family. Pepe was short for Papik which was "Joseph" in Czech. Joe attended Hopkins High School and upon graduation enlisted in the US Army. After basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, he was stationed in Germany. He was a Combat Engineer until he was honorably discharged in 1973. He received a National Defense Service Medal and was recognized as an Expert in Hand Grenades and as an M16 Sharpshooter. He earned a degree in Criminal Justice at the University of Minnesota. He then went on to serve with the Houston Police Department (HPD). He served honorably for 27 years until his retirement in 2007. Much of that time was spent as a training officer. He was looked up to by many of his trainees as well as his fellow officers. He was a proud member of the Police Union and will be missed by many of his Texas buddies. 

Joe enjoyed motorcycles and fast cars. Even though in his later years his 6'3" frame seemed better suited to trucks than the Mustangs and Corvettes he drove in his younger years. He went to Sturgis for several years and when he could no longer make the trip--he pent himself up with his computer and watched the action live from home. He also enjoyed guns, fishing, playing pool, speedboating, sailing, horses--he even had a pilot's license at one time. He loved to read--some of his favorite authors were John Sandford, Patricia Cornwall, John Clancy, Clive Cussler, and Vince Flynn. He enjoyed watching old TV shows, movies, and musicals. He prided himself on not knowing any of the new shows or the actors in them.  He loved Mexican food and said there was nothing better than sweating through a good meal. He never met a pepper he didn't like!  

Joe is survived by his wife, Paula, and her sisters Ann, Joan, and Lisa Jarosh. He was predeceased by his parents Joe and Doris Romportl and his parents-in-law Dick and Audrey Jarosh. He also has an army of friends in Texas who are already missing him. 

There will be no funeral, casket, or service as he always insisted none of that stuff was necessary. He just wanted to "be a tree." I have his cremains and am trying to think of the best way I can honor his wishes since Minnesota doesn't currently have a process in place where he could become a tree. The closest thing to it is in Scandia Minnesota where you can purchase a tree and mix the ashes in the ground they will also place a round marker at the base of the tree with the name of the decedent. Or, you can make it a family tree where they will list the family name. They are starting a new program where you can have the ashes spread in a grove mixed in with wildflowers (there would be no marker for this.) He also didn't want any announcement so I guess I am pushing it with this obituary. But he lived such a rich life that I felt I had to share some of the highlights.  Luv ya, Joe! 

He had a stone paperweight that was inscribed as follows:
Don't walk in front of me---I may not follow
Don't walk behind me ---I may not lead
Walk beside me---and just be my friend
Camus