Rick Hopper passed away in Las Vegas Nevada at age 78. He was born in Detroit Michigan, the son of Eleanor (Hopper) Gleeson and Walter Gleeson. He was married to Betty Higgs on March 24, 1958 and they celebrated over 62 years together.
He was the father of sons Richard Jr (wife Susan), David (wife Sandy), Robert and daughter Cathleen Wynn (husband Eric). Also survived by brother Wally (wife Sue) Gleeson of Juneau Alaska. His legacy includes 10 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild due in October 2019.
Rick was pre-deceased by his parents, brothers Albert and Carl Hopper, sister Carol-Ann Gleeson and 2 grandchildren.
In 1958 at age 17, Rick joined the US Coast Guard (USCG) and served aboard the USCG Cutters Tupelo, Dahlia, Bramble, Cape Jellison, Pt. Brower and Planetree. Other duty stations were USCG Base Detroit, Station Belle Isle and the Detroit Recruiting Office, all in Michigan. He served in command of San Diego Recruiting Station in California. During his over 20 years of military service to our nation, Rick was recognized for his multiple heroic actions and was awarded the Coast Guard League’s Heroism and Outstanding Service Award for his lifesaving actions in the waters off San Diego, CA. He retired 1980 from the USCGC Planetree in Juneau, Alaska.
After he retired from the USCG, Rick worked for the City and Borough of Juneau Alaska and the City of Henderson Nevada rounding out his lifetime of community service.
Rick touched many lives and made many close friends who were considered part of his extended family. Our family has been comforted by the written condolences from over 780 of his fellow Coast Guardsmen and women who either knew him directly or benefitted from his example.
A memorial service with full military honors will be held in honor of Rick at 1:30 pm Saturday, December 7, 2019 at Palm Northwest Mortuary, 6701 North Jones Blvd., Las Vegas NV 89131 (Intersection of Oakey and North Jones). A Celebration of Life will be held immediately thereafter at Sunshine & Tailwinds Café, 2730 Airport Dr., North Las Vegas, NV 89032 (located in North Las Vegas Airport).
In lieu of flowers, donations in Rick’s honor can be made to his favorite charity, the Wounded Warriors Project.
The donation link can be accessed at: https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/Donate
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