Frederick S. Hopkins III's Obituary
My brother, Frederick Sherman Hopkins III, known to family as Fred or Rick, was the namesake and
firstborn of Patricia Ann Hopkins and Frederick Sherman Hopkins, Jr. At the time, my father was
supervising a logging camp in the wilderness near MacKay, Ontario clearing land for a hydroelectric
dam. Because of the remoteness, my mother was sent to Springfield, MA to spend her maternity with
her in-laws (who she barely knew). After birth, the budding family lived in a real log cabin (no heat,
no bath, no water) in the wilderness for a few years.
My fathers next job took them to St Johnsbury, VT and the family grew by twins Martha and Sara.
Then to Essex Junction, VT where my father taught forestry at UVT, and the family grew again with
me. That meant that my dear Mother had to deal with four kids in diapers at the same time and decades
later, four kids in college at the same time, Whew!!!.
My father decided that teaching was a good career for raising a large family, so we moved to Syracuse,
where he earned a PhD. After graduation, when Rick was 11, we moved to Ames, Iowa as a professor
at Iowa State College (now Iowa State University.)
We all graduated from Ames High School. After a post high school hiatus, Rick re-enrolled at Iowa
State, this time in earnest! He earned a degree in Industrial Management, a “Computer Geek” before
they had a computer science degree field and the sole computer, an IBM 360 filled an entire building.
At Iowa State, he matured into the nickname Fred (but always Rick to me).
At ISU he met his lovely and devoted wife, Deborah Wilson, who would be by his side for the next 50
years, from Marshalltown, IA to Dickinson, TX and finally, in the mid 80's, to Annapolis, MD where he
managed Amtrak's payroll for many years.
In the last few years, Deb and Fred took three teenage students, Jesus, Francisco and Miguel, into their
home and under their wing. For his entire life, Fred loved motorcycles, sports cars, science fiction, and
road trips. Rick had a great mind for history, remembering events, dates, and places. Recall that I
could never match.
Though his health was difficult for several years, he never lost his interest in reading and watching
documentaries. Rick was an independent thinker, fiercely loyal to his friends and always ready for
spirited debate. I will always remember sitting on his porch with my mother looking at the wonderful
view of the park across the road, talking old times and current events.
What’s your fondest memory of Frederick?
What’s a lesson you learned from Frederick?
Share a story where Frederick's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Frederick you’ll never forget.
How did Frederick make you smile?