Richard R. Hopkins

Age 86, of Audubon, NJ passed away peacefully at home on Thursday December 16, 2010. Dick was born in Audubon, in 1924, to William & Kate Hopkins. Mr. Hopkins served in the US Army Air Corps., Crew #43 of the 754th Squadron, 2nd Air Division. Dick flew 30 missions over Germany & France during WWII as a Ball Turret Gunner. He was shot down on his first mission of his second tour and spent 5 ½ months as a POW. Mr. Hopkins was a decorated veteran who at one time was presented with a Certificate of Valor signed by Brig. Gen. Walter Peck & Col. James Isbel. He was a lifelong resident of Audubon who was married to his sweetheart Ellen(nee Martino) for 62 years. Dick & Ellen raised their family together in Audubon and enjoyed vacations in New Hampshire and Maine. He had a passion for car restoration and belonged to the SJ Model A Club. Mr. Hopkins was an avid gardener who was great with his hands. He once carved and raised a totem pole. He was a member of the American Legion(Post 0262), VFW(Post 4463), Society of Naval Arch. & Engs.(SNAME), was Section and National Chairman of the Star Symposium(SNAME) in 1987, a Charter Member of Phila. ASNE (1969) and a 10 yr member of the World Dredging Assoc.

Mr. Hopkins started his carrier as a designer for New York Shipbuilding Corp. in 1951. He worked for the Naval Architecture Firm of JJHenry Co. for 33 years before purchasing the company in 1985. He retired in 1992 selling the business and worked as a senior advisor for his son Richard's company, Tidewater Naval Architectures in Portsmouth, VA.

Mr. Hopkins is survived by his loving wife, Ellen(nee Martino). He is the beloved father of Richard r. Hopkins Jr.(Judith) and Barbara Monahan(John). He is the proud grandfather of Richard III, Melissa, Maureen, Sean, Kelly, Patrick, Rachel and Daniel. He will also be dearly missed by his great grandson Carwyn. Mr. Hopkins is predeceased by his son Walter R. Hopkins as well as his 8 brothers and sisters.

Relatives and friends are invited to remember and pay tribute to Dick on Saturday December 18, 2010 from 1:00 to 2:30PM at the HENRY FUNERAL HOME where a service with military honors will be held at 2:30PM. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Mr. Hopkins memory can be made to Samaritan Hospice, 5 Eves Drive, Suite 300, Marlton, NJ 08053