Nancy Sharon Kropf, former associate vice president for human resource services, died on May 25. She was 73.

Kropf worked for 30 years at Cal Poly Pomona, beginning as a department secretary. She was respected by her colleagues and developed a reputation for being a gracious leader, according to her colleagues.

"She is one who led with great dignity," said Janet Cain, an analyst in Human Resource Services. "She spoke to me, as a staff member, with the same care and respect she espoused when speaking with campus leaders. She was an honest coach and truly cared how well you did and that you valued your own work and your role in helping others. She raised the professionalism bar and I was proud to work for her and to know her."

Kropf is survived by her husband John "Jack" Kropf, who served as the director of the Cal Poly Pomona Foundation for many years, as well as a son, Jeffrey Murphy, and daughter, Kathleen Murphy.

A memorial service will be held at noon on May 30 at Eternal Hills Memorial Park, 1999 El Camino Real, in Oceanside.