Beloved Roger Carl Hopkins, 95, of Summerland Key, Fla., passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones on April 30, 2017. He was born on June 18, 1921, in Troy Center, Wis., to the late Wilder Carl Hopkins and Flora Hopkins (nee Kehoe).
He attended a one-room schoolhouse in Troy Center, moved on to Waukesha High School, and then attended Carroll College in Waukesha, graduating in 1943 with a Bachelor of Science in chemistry. He enlisted in the U.S. Army, specializing as a chemical warfare advisor and then deploying to Okinawa.
After his discharge in late 1946, he joined Mallinckrodt Chemical Company in St. Louis, Mo., where he spent his working career until retirement. At Mallinckrodt, he started in the classified uranium division, moved on to the development of silicon crystals, and was promoted to supervisor of the plant’s Quality Control Lab.
He maintained wonderful friendships from the Army and Mallinckrodt for years after leaving both. His last year in life was an especially joyous one. Having grown up in southern Wisconsin, he was a lifelong Cubs fan, and he was thrilled by the long-awaited World Series Championship.
He is survived by his son, Joseph Hopkins; grandson, Christopher Hopkins; great-grandchild, Vanessa Hopkins; stepson, Thomas James; step-grandchildren, Jennifer Zdunkiewicz, Patricia Hall, Adrian Aguilar, Anthony Savoia, Nadine James, Lauren Savoia, Katherine Savoia, Kaitlyn James, Christopher Savoia; and step-great-grandchildren, Megan Hall, Marissa Zdunkiewicz, Lauren Hall, Chelsea James, Diego Villalobos, Mateo Villalobos, Karsen James, Camryn Savoia, Mikey Aguilar; and dear friend, Claudia Moore.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Mary Hopkins; son, James Hopkins; and stepchildren, Patricia Savoia and James James.
Roger’s immense kindness and generous spirit which touched so many in his life will be deeply missed by all.
His family will receive friends and relatives on Sunday, May 28, at 10 a.m. on Summerland Key.
