Sherman Perry Goplen
June 5, 1944 ~ April 25, 2026
Born in:
Binford, North Dakota
Resided in:
Fargo, North Dakota
Sherman’s services will be livestreamed and viewable below on Wednesday, April 29, 2026 at 7:00 PM and Thursday, April 30, 2026 at 2:00 PM.
Sherman Perry Goplen passed away on Saturday, April 25, after a battle with cancer.
He was born on June 5, 1944 in Binford, North Dakota to Arne and Mildred (Perry) Goplen.
He graduated from Binford High School, then continued his education, earning Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Mechanical Engineering at the University of North Dakota. He moved to Brookings, South Dakota, where he taught at South Dakota State University for two years.
During his time in South Dakota he met Eileen Steinke. They were married on July 31, 1971 in Morden, Manitoba, Eileen’s hometown. They made their first home in Bryan, Texas, where Sherman began teaching and working to earn his PhD. Their daughter, Leanne, was born in 1975. After finishing his PhD at Texas A&M University, the family moved to Saudi Arabia, where he worked as an engineer for ARAMCO, the Arabian American Oil Company.
During his time in Saudi Arabia, Sherman and his family travelled extensively. In 1984, they decided to return to North Dakota, and made their home in Fargo. Sherman taught Mechanical Engineering at North Dakota State University for 31 years.
Sherman enjoyed hunting, fishing, and trap shooting. He was a wood and metal worker. He was an avid reader of history. He was active in his church. More than anything, he loved being a grandfather.
Sherman is survived by his wife Eileen, daughter Leanne (Ryan), grandsons Andrew and Joshua, brother Marvin (Vickie), and many other relatives and friends.
Visitation will be Wednesday evening at 6:00 followed by a prayer service at 7:00 at Boulger Funeral Home in Fargo. The funeral will be at 2:00 on Thursday at First Lutheran Church, with visitation an hour before the service. We invite everyone to lunch after the service to visit and reminisce. Interment will be at the Binford Lutheran Cemetery at 1:00 on Friday, with lunch following at Trinity Lutheran Church, Binford.
Memorials can be sent to the Sherman Goplen Scholarship Fund at the NDSU Foundation.
Arrangements entrusted into the care of Boulger Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center.
Services
Visitation: Wednesday, April 29, 2026 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Boulger Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center
123 10th Street S.
Fargo, North Dakota 58103
701-237-6441
https://boulgerfuneralhome.com
Prayer Service: Wednesday, April 29, 2026 7:00 pm
Boulger Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center
123 10th Street S.
Fargo, North Dakota 58103
701-237-6441
https://boulgerfuneralhome.com
Visitation: Thursday, April 30, 2026 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
First Lutheran Church, Fargo
619 Broadway N
Fargo, ND 58102
7012357389
https://www.flcfargo.org/
Funeral Service : Thursday, April 30, 2026 2:00 pm
First Lutheran Church, Fargo
619 Broadway N
Fargo, ND 58102
7012357389
https://www.flcfargo.org/
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Eileen and family, I am so sorry to hear of Shem’s passing. I will never forget his kindness to me when we worked at NDSU. And later, when he became a prayer warrior for me as I faced my health challenges. We all wanted a different result for him but now we rest in the assurance of Christ’s love.
My sympathy goes out to you.
Sincerely,
Paul
Sherman taught me Engineering at NDSU and later as our paths crossed at Church ~10yrs later he taught me about life, through his words and observations.
Putting it all together I realize more every day how he’s shaped parts of me.
I’m very thankful for how God put Sherman into my life and the lives of my family.
He will be missed.
Sending you comfort and peace,
Kyle
Eileen and family, I am very sorry to learn of my fellow 1944 brother leaving us so soon. I have fond remembrances of many morning coffee gatherings and working together at the last AirSho. Janie and I return from our travels in a few weeks but will take part on-line as friends and family gather to celebrate a man who added great value to God’s World over a life of service to others.
Mike and Janie Hulett
Sherm and I worked together at NDSU for quite a few years. He was fond of starting a sentence with “When dirt was new…” when he was relating an incident that occurred in his youth. When graphing calculators and other technology would come out, he would say, “Now the students can get it wrong to more decimal points.”
He was a tough teacher because he knew that it was tough out in the world and his students needed to be ready. They may not have appreciated him so much when they were students, but once they got into the “real world” they recognized the value of his teaching.
Goplen family, I’m sorry for your loss and to hear about the passing of Dr. Goplen. I had the good fortune of being one of Dr. Goplen’s students at NDSU. He was a very tough professor who expected a lot out of his students, but he was a very fair and honest man who deeply cared about the success of his students. He taught many generations of students the immense value of “little things” like showing up on time, being prepared, attention to detail, and thinking critically.
He was my favorite professor in college and I often think of him and the valuable lessons he taught (both personal and technical) while working in the engineering industry. He has made a great difference in many people’s lives. Thank you for allowing him to share his knowledge and life lessons with multiple generations of students.
With sympathy – Abe Kolstad (NDSU Class of 2015)
Dr. Goplen’s Family,
I am sorry to read of Dr. Goplen’s passing. My prayers are with you all.
I was one of Dr. Goplen’s students at NDSU. He was a professor that challenged me and pushed me to be a better engineer. Conversations we had still roll through my head 16 years later, in a good way. He definitely shaped my approach to the job. He also made me appreciate thermodynamics in a way that few people understand.
We crossed paths at a Kiwanis pancake breakfast a few years ago and it was great to reconnect with him and have a sincerely nice conversation.
Regards,
Ryan Foley
Dr. Goplen’s Family,
I am sorry to read of Dr. Goplen’s passing. In my early years at NDSU as a faculty member, Dr. Goplen was an excellent teacher who taught me how to handle different types of students and keep focused on the course objectives. I still use the skills I learned from him, even if the environment has changed a lot.
Rest In Eternal Peace, Sherman
Majura