Richard Lee Hopkins was born on July 8, 1941, in El Dorado, Kansas. He was the firstborn of Claude (Mike) and Julia Hopkins of rural DeGraff. Richard was the oldest and was followed by 11
younger siblings. Richard graduated from Potwin High School in 1959, joined the Army in 1960, and served 3 years. He was stationed at Ft. Eustis, Virginia, and found his time in the motor pool a satisfying experience. He loved
the ocean at Newport News and found himself in good company with his fellows in arms. He finished his time in the Army with an honorable discharge in 1963. Soon after his Army discharge, Richard met Marie Hartzell, one of
his sister Sharon's nursing school classmates at Halstead. The two seemed smitten with each other from the start. They married in 1964 and made their home in Hesston, Kansas, she, working in the nursing profession and
he as a police officer. Heartbreakingly, their first child Michelle did not survive infancy, however, she was followed by two joyfully healthy children Greg and Cheryl who attended the Hesston schools and graduated high school
there. Greg served 10 years in the Coast Guard and passed away a few years ago. Cheryl has made a successful and enduring career with the Bank of America. Richard retired from the Hesston police force as a Seargent in 1997
and was employed at the Harvey County jail for a few years. He ended his working years having fun driving the van for the Santa Fe Railroad workers. He found waiting in the van between work sites a pleasant pastime while he
enjoyed reading. Richard was a loyal man. He loved many aspects of life and was never tempted or swayed to try alternates or change any of his favorites. One of Richard's great loves was country and western music. He knew
the words to all the old songs and could still sing them and loved to hear others sing them. His brother Gene compiled his favorites and made a CD for him a few years ago and Richard played them regularly. He enjoyed singing
with his friends at the home which they did at mealtimes and during family visits. Another great love for Richard was driving, behind the wheel just driving around, frequenting lakes and rivers and homes of long-gone ancestors.
He owned multiple types of used vehicles over many years, his last vehicle was a Ford F150, it was his first brand-new vehicle. Richard also loved bicycles, he got his first bicycle for Christmas in boyhood, and in his retirement
years, he rode his bicycle for exercise, up and down the road by his house. As time went by he went to three-wheelers and continued the two miles a day. Tractors and farm implements held a particular fascination for Richard,
he read farm papers and went to auctions, and got to know all the farm auctioneers. Richard liked hats, he wore them from a tiny boy and was rarely seen without his head covered, most always a Stetson and cowboy boots on his
feet. Dan Post socks were the best! Richard was diagnosed with FSH Muscular Dystrophy as an older adult. This type of MD progresses very slowly deteriorating the back and neck muscles, when in the elder years it becomes disabling.
Richard spent his final few years in nursing homes, he became wheelchair bound so he still had wheels, but he missed driving. Before his time there he was a faithful member of the Potwin Coffee Club and met with his friends
there each morning. He loved breakfast at Newell's Corner on Sundays. Compounding the loss of our brother Richard, we lost Delbert only a few weeks ago. Also a veteran, Delbert was wounded in the Vietnam War and will be
buried at Ft. Leavenworth. Richard will be interred at the Kansas Veteran Cemetery, Winfield. Richard is survived by his sisters Sharon Hopkins Walsh (Daniel) CA; and Nita Hopkins Shaffer (Ron) of Moundridge, Nancy, Kathy,
and Karen, the three youngest. Brothers Gene Hopkins, Moundridge, Darrell Hopkins (Wanda) TX; Mike Hopkins (Jo) Rose Hill; Larry Hopkins, Potwin. His daughter Cheryl Hopkins Ericson (Adam), TN, and his grandson Cameron Hopkins,
Wichita. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to Disabled American Veterans.
