Karl Thomas "Tom" Hoepfner

Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on April 3, 1944, Tom’s life was marked by a spirit of adventure and a commitment to service. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1966 and immediately married his high school sweetheart, Kathleen “Dee-Dee” Lewin—a decision he often called the best of his life.

Tom’s 33-year career in the U.S. Navy took him and his family across the globe. His early assignments included tours in Hawaii, where he not only earned his submarine qualifications but also learned to surf the Pacific waves and love the beach.  He was also part of a historic and memorable 1971 expedition under the North Pole.  A later teaching assignment as a nuclear power instructor in Idaho was a welcome change of pace, allowing him to trade his fins for snow skis and carve through waist-deep powder. It was there that he discovered a love for the beautiful outdoors, fly fishing for rainbow trout, horseback riding through the Tetons, snowmobiling through Yellowstone, and white-water rafting down the thrilling Snake River Canyon.

He often spoke of his favorite assignment, Captain of the nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine USS Woodrow Wilson.  In his words, “the best Job I ever had, bar none.”  Tours with the Wilson and the Nathan Hale allowed him the time for lots of memories made raising a family in Charleston.  He earned numerous accolades, including four Legions of Merit, but he was just as proud of his roles as a husband and father. He balanced the demands of his career with a warm and engaging presence, creating a loving home for his family wherever their adventures took them.

After retiring from the Navy, Tom began a second career with Lockheed-Martin before retiring for good at age 55. He and Dee-Dee settled in Wilmington, where he fully embraced a life of leisure and purpose. He could often be found golfing, cooking, tackling home projects, or simply reading in the pool. He lived by a cherished family motto: “If you ain’t havin’ fun, it’s your own damn fault.”

Tom was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 58 years, Kathleen. He is survived by his son, Michael, and his wife, JoBeth; his daughter, Heidi, and her husband, Kevin; and four cherished grandchildren.

A Mass of the Resurrection will be held at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Tuesday April 28th, 9:00am to honor and celebrate a life well-lived. Tom will be remembered for his integrity, his adventurous spirit, his sense of humor, and his unwavering dedication to his family and country.  He will be interred at sea. “OUTSTANDING!”

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