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15509 Mr. Herbert Z. Hopkins
March 25, 1926 - September 28, 2000

usma1946-H1

 

 MEMORIAL ARTICLE
Published Assembly May 2001

HERBERT ZIEGLER HOPKINS
No. 15509 * 25 Mar 1926 - 28 Sep 2000
Died near Calimesa, CA * Interred in Forest Lawn Cemetery, Cypress, CA

HERBERT ZIEGLER (Zeke) HOPKINS was born and raised in Atlanta, GA. Zeke's childhood was typical for that era; model airplanes, Boy Scouts, magazine routes, athletics and love of the outdoors. His father decided that Zeke should attend military school; so, at age fourteen, Zeke was sent to board at Georgia Military Academy in College Park, GA. After graduating Valedictorian of his 1943 class at GMA, Zeke joined the Class of 1946 at West Point on 1 July 1943.

Cadet life created no problems for Zeke. In April of yearling year, Zeke opted for Air Cadet training and at graduation pinned on his wings as a second lieutenant in the Army Air Corps.

After transition training in Arizona, Zeke was assigned to the 20th Fighter Group flying P-51 Mustangs. Later he became jet qualified. Zeke received his Masters in Aeronautical Engineering in 1950 from Princeton University. In 1949 Zeke married Barbara Hester of Sumter, SC. From Princeton, Zeke was assigned to Wright Patterson AFB, OH working in flight test engineering. In 1951, Zeke transferred to the AF Flight Test Center, Edwards AFB, CA where he served four years as an AF test pilot. Zeke was among the first test pilots in the AF with advanced degrees; the first "Scientific Test Pilots."

In 1955, Zeke left the Air Force to try his hand in civilian life. He started with North American Aviation as an Engineering Test Pilot. Zeke was the first pilot to eject from the mach2 Navy attack bomber, the A3J Vigilante using a new rocket-powered seat.

In 1962, he was promoted to Chief, XB-70 Flight Operations. Zeke joined Douglas Aircraft in 1968. After three years at Douglas, Zeke was made project engineer for DC-10 government applications. He became project manager for the KC-10 superaerial tanker, for years the most reliable airplane in the AF inventory.

In 1972, Zeke married Norma Ludwig. In 1984, Zeke became the project manager for the DC-10 as well as the KC-10. In 1985, Zeke married Patricia (Pat) Suttinger who also worked at Douglas. Zeke and Pat both retired from Douglas in 1990.

Zeke and Pat thoroughly enjoyed retirement. They kept active at the gym, walking, hiking and especially tandem biking. In 1997, they built a home in the desert at Rancho Mirage, CA. On 28 September 2000, Zeke drove up to Los Angeles to attend a Test Pilot Symposium. Classmate Gene Deatrick recalled that at the end of the symposium, he saw Zeke off as he left to drive home. On the way, on I-10 near Calimesa, CA, bales of hay fell off a truck in front of Zeke's car and he was killed instantly.

Survivors include his wife, Pat and her daughter, Kathy; former wife, Bobbie Hopkins and their children, Marian, Meg, Michael; former wife Norma Ludwig and her children, Ed, Beth, Charlie and David; sister, Helen and four grandchildren and two step grandchildren.

Zeke Hopkins was a remarkable man with remarkable accomplishments. He touched the lives of many and is fondly remembered by all who knew and loved him. Roommate, Dave Bradburn, recalled: "Zeke was a great friend and a joy to be with. We had the pleasure of over fifty years of close and affectionate friendship to enjoy together. We are lucky to have had that good time."

Zeke's sister, Helen and brother in law Neal Timberline prepared an acronym describing Zeke using adjectives that best described him. These included Wise, Opinionated, Noteable, Devoted, Energetic, Respected, Fit, Unique, Loving, Zealous, Ernest, Kind and Enthusiastic. "The adjectives form the acronym -- WONDERFUL ZEKE -- and he was!"


Carl Rice, who worked for Zeke at Douglas, recalled one of Zeke's favorite stories in his eulogy remarks at the funeral: "It was early in the frequent flyer program. Zeke, another engineer and I boarded a flight to Wright Patterson AFB. I stopped in first class and Zeke and the engineer went back to coach. Zeke asked what I was doing and I told him I had upgraded with frequent flyer miles. After takeoff, I sent Zeke a drink. The attendant delivered it and told him it was from his boss in first Class! I got the job of managing Zeke's frequent flyer points. Zeke, you are not with us anymore, but I know that where you are you traveled first class."

His loving wife, Pat, remembered: " Zeke was happy, healthy and enthusiastic about life in general and about our families at the time of his death. He once told me that the thing he was proudest of in his life was graduating from West Point. The Academy was very dear to his heart and because of that, we had the Alma Mater played at his funeral. I miss him!

To the words of love and respect from all who knew Zeke, the Class of 1946 is honored to add those words that would mean so much to him: "Well Done, Zeke; Be Thou At Peace!"

'46 Memorial Article Project and his wife, Pat

 

Personal Eulogy


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