Ret. Major Robert M. Hopkins

Ret. Major Robert M. Hopkins, 87 of Springfield died at 10:15 p.m., Saturday, November 1, 2003 at Blessing Hospital, Quincy, Illinois. Robert was born May 6, 1916 in Gloversville, New York, son of Robert Anthony and Sarah Bouchard Hopkins. He married Betty M. O’Hara, November 6, 1980 in Ottawa, Illinois. He was a graduate of the University of Toronto and DePaul University and studied at St. Bernard Seminary, Rochester, NY, St. Thomas Seminary, Denver, CO and in Rome. He made his first vows as a Viatorian in 1947 and was ordained a priest in 1948, during his service to the Viatorian Community he taught at Cathedral High School and Griffin High School, Springfield, IL, Spaulding High School, Peoria, IL, St. Patrick High School, Kankakee, IL, St. Philips High School, Chicago, IL, St. Viator High School, Arlington Heights, IL and Notre Dame High School, Schenectady, NY. He also taught at West Point Academy. He served as Chaplain at United Hospital, Port Chester, NY and at Northwest Community Hospital, Arlington Heights, IL. Ret. Major Hopkins served in the Army and later in the Army Air Force. He served during WWII, Korea and Vietnam retiring after 32 years of service. During his service he was Chaplain for a period of six years also during his military tenure, his awards included the Air Medal and the Presidential Citation, in addition to a Purple Heart with one cluster, National Defense Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Ribbon, two overseas bars and an Army Commendation Medal. Robert was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Betty of Springfield, one step-son; Alan (wife, Dena) Achenbach of Taylorville, one stepdaughter: Dr. Sally (husband, Robert) Jenkins of Elmhurst, five grandchildren, two great grandchildren, one sister: Lucille Hopkins of Cantor, MA. Friends may call at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church from 11-12:30 p.m. Thursday, November 6, 2003. Funeral mass will be held at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, November 6, 2003 at Blessed Sacrament Church with Msgr. Rev. Kevin Vann, celebrant. Burial will follow in Camp Butler National Cemetery where the Air Force Honor Guard will conduct military honors. Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer’s Association Greater Illinois Chapter, Springfield Office, 6 Drawbridge Rd., Suite 4, Springfield, IL 62704. The family of Ret. Major Robert M. Hopkins is being served by Kirlin-Egan and Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St. Springfield.