Obituary of Richard A. Hopkins

Richard Appleton Hopkins, age 84, died peacefully at his home in Rowayton, Connecticut on August 19, 2014. Born on October 11 in Glen Ridge, New Jersey, he was the son of John Milton and Doris Keyes Hopkins. A 1951 graduate of Amherst College, Dick then served in the U.S. Navy, retiring in 1955 with the rank of Lt.(jg). From 1955-1957, he attended Wharton Graduate School, University of Pennsylvania, graduating with an MBA degree. Following five years with the Prudential Insurance Company, he began his many years with the Ford Foundation in New York City, retiring in 1995 from the position of Director of Fixed Income Investment. He was a long-time member of The United Church of Rowayton where he served as a Deacon and Lay Moderator. He also served the wider United Church of Christ on the Board of Directors of the Connecticut Conference and, nationally, on the Board for Homeland Ministries, the Pension Boards and the United Church Foundation. Dick had been a member of the Fair Rent Commission of Norwalk and a Trustee of Bennett College in Greensboro, North Carolina and Bangor Seminary in Maine. An avid photographer, he also enjoyed music (jazz and playing the piano) and traveling the world on the many cruises he and his wife took together. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Heather S. Hopkins, and his five children: David S. Hopkins, Deborah H. McNamara and her husband Thomas; James S. Hopkins; Jeffrey K. Hopkins and his wife Julie; Richard A. Hopkins, Jr. and his wife Sonja. He is also survived by his beloved grandchildren: Carolyn, Lauren and Chelsea Clouse; Erin and Dylan Hopkins; Elshia and Richard A. Hopkins, III. Other survivors include his brother and sister-in-law, John Bradford and Hilary Hopkins, and his niece Susanna Leisher. He was predeceased by his parents; a brother, Bradford Streeter Hopkins; and his niece, Alyson Marie Hopkins. There will be a Service of Thanksgiving and Praise for his life on Sunday, October 12th at 2:00 PM at The United Church of Rowayton. Gifts in his memory may be made to The United Church of Rowayton, 210 Rowayton Avenue, Rowayton, CT 06853 or to Masonicare Home Health & Hospice, 535 Connecticut Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06854. Funeral Home: Edward Lawrence Funeral Home 2119 Post Road Darien, CT USA 06820