Robert L. Hoppes
"Coach"
After a short but courageous battle with cancer, Bob Hoppes passed away peacefully at home on April 7, 2016 in Torrance, CA surrounded by his loving family.
Bob is survived by his loving wife and best friend of 49 years, Renee, his children, Amy Hoppes and Robert Hoppes; his mother, Clara Hoppes, brother, Dave Hoppes, sister-in law, Donna Hoppes; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Tony and Roxy Bivinetto; and many nieces and nephews. His father, Fred Hoppes and his brother, Jerry Hoppes and sister in law, Cathy Hoppes precede him in death.
Bob was born on February 14, 1942 in Marion, NC, to Fred and Clara Hoppes. He grew up in a loving family with two brothers, Jerry and Dave. At the age of 2, the family moved to Upland, PA where they resided until Bob was 15 years old. While living in Upland, Bob and his two brothers grew up playing baseball. In 1957, the family moved to Torrance, CA where Bob and his brothers graduated from Narbonne High School. Bob graduated from California State University, Long Beach with a degree in Physical Education and a minor in Biology.
Bob was a former Marine Corps Reservist serving for six years during the Vietnam era ("Semper Fidelis"). He returned to his Alma mater, Narbonne High School, where he taught Health and Driver's Education for 36 years. For most of his tenure at Narbonne, Bob coached golf, track and field, and for 15 years was the varsity basketball coach. Bob was a teacher who invested in the lives of his students, athletes, colleagues, friends, and family. He loved teaching and coaching.
In his early life, Bob enjoyed water skiing with his family and friends, where he first met his wife, Renee. After they were married and started a family, Bob found camping and fishing in the Eastern Sierras more fulfilling and continued to do this throughout his life together with his wife and two children. Camping and fishing is where Bob nurtured his spiritual happiness and peace.
The Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, April 15, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Lawrence Martyr Catholic Church, 1940 S. Prospect Avenue, Redondo Beach, CA 90277. Interment will follow at Green Hills Memorial Park. A special "Thank You" to Torrance Memorial Hospice, nurse Jane, and the entire Team for their compassionate care. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Cancer Support Community, Redondo Beach (
www.cancersupportredondobeach.org
), American Heart Association, Los Angeles Chapter (
https://donatenow.heart.org
), or a charity of your choice. In remembrance of Bob, please consider wearing something yellow…his favorite color.
Funeral Home:
Green Hills Mortuary and Memorial Chapel
27501 S.Western Ave.
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
US 90275