Gerhard Richard Karl Hopf

Gerhard R.K. Hopf, 94, a resident of Reynoldsburg, OH, passed peacefully April 1st. Gerhard was born and reared in Stendal, Germany, son of Karl and Anna Madge Hopf. Upon graduation from high school in 1942, he was immediately drafted into the military and received training as a navigator and radio operator. Borrowed by paratroopers on a special mission during July of 1943, in Syracuse, Italy, Gerhard, an expert Morse Code operator and outstanding runner, was instrumental in finding a way out for encircled German soldiers who then rushed to safety. He was awarded the Iron Cross for his efforts. At the end of World War 2, Gerhard was interned with surrendering German troops and placed in a Russian camp. When the prisoners were later transferred, he luckily escaped being sent to Siberia when he ran back to retrieve personal belongings. The Poles who then took over, put their German prisoners to work in coal mines where he developed a foot wound. The camp doctor who befriended him asked Gerhard to feed the sick and dying in exchange for a prison release recommendation when the International Red Cross came to examine conditions there. Both men kept their word. He returned to his hometown in 1946, attending Wismer College where he graduated in mechanical engineering in 1950, then performed post graduate studies at the Technical University in Dresden, followed by an advanced degree in welding engineering at the Research Institute of Duisburg in 1956. During graduate studies, he was employed as a mathematics teacher at the East German Merchant Marine Academy and held engineering positions in East Berlin. Gerhard opposed the Communists, East Germany’s governing body, just as his family, supporters of the Social Democratic Party, had opposed Hitler and the National Socialists in the 1930’s. Gerhard eventually escaped to West Berlin and continued his previous commitment for democratic government before becoming a political immigrant in 1957. Applying to Australia, Canada, and the United States, he chose the latter, where a church in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan sponsored him. Later, he transferred to Barberton, Ohio, for professional employment, and eventually to the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, area until his retirement in 1991. Referred to as “the Red Baron” by fellow employees and friends, he was known for his dry wit. He particularly enjoyed German music and cuisine, chess, soccer matches, traveling, and world news. Affectionately nicknamed “Bear” by his family, Gerhard is survived by his wife of 55 years, Peggy, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. John Evans; five children: Mary Hopf, Karin Watkins (James), Erich Hopf, Colonel John Hopf (Kimberly), and Christina Hopf (Jay Greenwood); six grandchildren: Anton, Konrad, and Mikael Najera, Rachel Watkins, and Arielle and Justin Hopf; brother Manfred Hopf (Christa); former son-in-law Pedro Najera; brothers and sisters-in-law; and many nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Horst Hopf (Ilse). The family wishes to thank Dr. Fred Worley, Pataskala Oaks Care Center, and Bella Care Hospice and Chaplin Greg Rosser for all their support. Funeral services for Gerhard will take place at Schoedinger East Chapel and the burial at Glen Rest Memorial Estate.