"I am so sorry to hear about Dr. Hopper. I have such fond memories of him during my childhood. Sailing on the boat, playing in the garden and my favorite memory is probably... when he drove the car with his feet ! Amy, do you remember that ? Good times ! He will be missed ! Suzie Lewis"
In loving memory of
Charles Lyon Hopper, MD
May 6, 1930 - April 25, 2007
Portsmouth, RI - Charles Lyon Hopper, MD FACS, 76, of 68 James Court, Portsmouth, RI, died Wednesday, April 25, 2007 at home surrounded by members of his family. He was born May 6, 1930 in Atlanta Georgia. He was the son of Harold C. Hopper and Margaret Lyon Hopper. He grew up in the mid-west and moved to Ridgewood, NJ. He attended Ridgewood High School where he and his brother excelled in sports. Charles went on to attend Springfield College in Massachusetts where, in 1950, he met his future wife, Joan Rahn, while working as an orderly at Springfield Hospital. Joan was a student nurse at the time. They were married one day after she graduated from nursing school and five days before Charles started medical school at Yale. They were married for fifty-four years. Charles Hopper graduated from Yale Medical School summa cum laude in 1956. He interned at Mary Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown, New York from 1956 through 1957. He served in the Navy as the Medical Officer attending divers at the Underwater Ordenence Station from 1957 to 1959. From 1959 to 1964 he completed a surgical residency at Hartford Hospital in Connecticut then moved his growing family back to the Newport area. He began his practice as a General and Thoracic Surgeon in the office of Dr. James Callahan at 10 Bull Street directly behind Newport City Hall during July of 1964. Dr. Hopper, who will always be Chuck to his many friends, served as the Chief of Surgery at Newport Hospital from 1976 until 1983. In addition he served other positions of staff leadership during his tenure at the Hospital. His professional career also saw a committed involvement with the American College of Surgeons, the Rhode Island Trauma Committee, the American Board of Surgery, the Rhode Island Medical Society, Newport County Medical Society, the Providence Surgical Society and the New England Cancer Society. In addition, he was the surgeon for Saint Georges School from 1964 until 1983. His community activities were also extensive and centered in, but were not limited to, the world of medicine. He was a Trustee of Newport Hospital and of the Hospital Association of Rhode Island from 1970 to 1976. He had also been Director of Newport Health Care Corporation, and was a longtime member of the American Cancer Society, serving at one time as the President of the Society?s Newport County Unit. As recently as 2006 he also served on the Visiting Nurse Services Professional Advisory Committee. Chuck?s other community involvements include serving as a deacon at the United Congregational Church from 1966 to 1971 and as a Trustee of the same church from 1981 to 1983 and again from 2004 to 2006. At various times he was a member of the Newport Lion?s Club, the Newport Chamber of Commerce and the Newport Yacht Club. Doctor Hopper, retired in 1994. He then became an accomplished cook, rarely allowing his wife, Joan, into the kitchen before dinner. He was an avid gardener, growing vegetables, perennial flowers and caring for an assortment of orchids in his greenhouse. Chuck and Joan traveled widely, including visits to Fiji, Greece, The Virgin Islands and more recent trips across the United States. In one instance they followed the Lewis and Clarke Trail in Chuck?s favorite car, a Buick. He loved sailing with friends on Narragansett Bay aboard his thirty-foot boat the Cowardly Lyon. He passes this appreciation for friendship and the natural world on to his children. He is best known and remembered in the Newport area for his work in medicine as a general surgeon. His treatment of patients, coworkers and staff was compassionate, kind and fair. Besides his wife, he is survived by his children Philip Rahn Hopper of Brooklyn, NY, Margaret Sitarik of Longmont, CO, Kristen Hopper and her husband Steven Rogers of Berkeley, CA, and Amy Lyon Hopper-McKee and her husband Jeff of Jamestown, RI, his brother Thomas Hopper of Atlanta, GA, his sister Laura Quinlan of San Diego, CA, and his grandchildren Ian Sitarik and Lyle Hopper-Rogers. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, May 12, 2007, at 2:00 pm in United Congregational Church, 524 Valley Road, Middletown. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Newport Hospital Foundation, 11 Friendship Street, Newport, RI 02840 or to United Congregational Church, 524 Valley Road, P.O. Box 4262, Middletown, RI 02842.
Tributes
"Dear Joan and family, We are sending our deepest sympathy for the loss of your husband, father, and valuable member of this community for such a long time. He was so dedicated to his profession, his family, sailing, and later, gardening. Our memory flashes back to the recent blizzard of 78 when we were Touro Park neighbors and he would not let 24+ inches of snow deter him from reaching the hospital and his waiting patients...so he cross-country skied to work. Chuck Hopper, always kind, willing and vigorous. He will be dearly missed and remembered well. Sharon and Brad Watterson"
"Joan - In our thirty-plus years together, our happiest times were the summers from 1990-95 when, as members of TIFOBET, we turned Touro Park into one of Newport's best theatre locations. You and Chuck provided our earnest theatre troupe with dressing rooms, storage space, warm-up area and bathrooms, opening your Pelham Steet home to us in an incredible display of community spirit. Speaking for all past TIFOBET members, including our mutual dear friend John Chatty, we will always be grateful for your generosity and friendship. Our sincere condolences to you, Krisen, and the rest of your family. Linda Vars and Glen Dunbar"
"Chuck was a great asset to his friends and classmates in medical school. His practical view of life and unflagging good nature and patience were a source of comfort and support. When he was awarded the magna cum laude and AOA recognition, we all applauded that one of the regular guys had made it. These qualities accompanied him through life, making him an outstanding and caring husband, father, and physician. We will all miss him greatly."
"Chuck was a good friend, a good surgeon, a good husband and father and a fine gentleman. I miss him a lot."
"There really is nothing that can be said at a time like this, but my prayers and thoughts are with Dr. Amy Hopper and family."
"We remember Chuck with his surgical help to the multitude. His kindness and help to patients and fellow physicians followed. His obituary summarizes the details of the life of a Great Person."
"To The Family of Dr. Hopper, I send my condolence for a man that was a great doctor. I knew Dr. Hopper for about 30 years. He was always a gentleman and always would care about how everyone else felt. He will be missed by all. I hope you find it in your heart to understand why God took him away. Remember all of the good times you had with him and that you will be with him again. May God give you the strength you all need at this time. My thoughts and prays are with the entire family. Sincerely, Christine A."
"I am very sorry to hear about the passing of Dr. Hopper. My Mom worked at Newport Hospital for many years and always spoke very highly of him. May the thoughts and prayers of those who love him give you comfort in your time of sorrow."
"since graduating from nsg school,I have had many opportunities to work with Dr Hopper/I remember he was always forgetting where he left his pipeusually we'd call him to tell him what floor he left it/he was a very special man,not only professionally but personally.He listened if you were concerned about a patient,and truely loved his job. Many times,sitting at 3rd beach,he and his wife would stroll along the water for their swim.He would always look around and wave to me.I will miss him. I felt that I had earned his trust professionally . Meg, I remember when you were our secretary in the "old" ER!! I am so sorry for you and your family's loss of your dad."
"Joan: I just read of Chuck's passing in the online edition of the Daily News. I'm so sorry and want to pass along condolences to you and your children. I lost my wife, Valerie, on 8-15-02 following surgery for a torn miniscus of the left knee. There is no such thing as minor surgery. The local Presbyterian Church in my community of Rancho Bernardo has a bereavement group which I found very supportive. Maybe the Congreational church has such a service which could be helpful to you. Have faith. Bill"
"Dear Mrs Hopper and family, I was saddened to read of Dr Hoppers passing. He was a wonderful surgeon,and one of the most compassionate physicians I had ever met during my employment at Newport Hospital. You're in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Sincerely, Mary Collins Anthony"
"Dear Joan, What a terrible shock it was for me to learn on line of the passing of dear Chuck. I am so sorry for you and all of the family and will keep all of you in my prayers. Love, Maureen"
"Dear Mrs. Hopper: I just read about Dr. Hopper's passing in the online edition of the Newport Daily News. Dr. Hopper was my surgeon at one time. He was not only a dedicated Physician but a warm kind gentleman, something rare to see these days. My prayers and condolences are with you and your family."