Austin-American Statesman
April 30, 2013
Charles "Hop" Hopingardner, Colonel, USAF (ret.) Sept 29, 1929-Mar 17, 2013 Charles came early to the party as a preterm baby who was not expected to survive, weighing in at just over 4 lbs.; he stayed late leaving in his eighth decade. He was the beloved husband of wife, Wilda, having celebrated their 60th anniversary last year. Hop has gone on before Wilda, his children Paul (Diane) Hopingardner, Catherine (Daniel) Tucek, David Hopingardner, his grandson, Alexander, his cousins, Barbara Cooper and Joan Isaacs, and his dear friends, Betty and Buddy King. He was predeceased by his parents, Otis & Louise Hopingardner, and two grandchildren, Anne Catherine and Charles Daniel Tucek. Hop was a US Air Force pilot, serving across the globe during his 29 years with assignments in Japan, Korea, the Republic of the Philippines, and Thailand. He had more than 7,500 flying hours and most enjoyed the technical challenges of flying combat missions. Hop flew many different aircraft; however, his favorite was the C-130. He commanded a C-130 and an AC-130 Gunship squadron (16 SOS) during his career. Hop was the recipient of numerous awards and medals, including the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal, and the Vietnam Service Medal with 7 campaign stars. After his 1st retirement, Hop went back to school and graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. in Computer Science from St. Edward's University. In the years after school, he taught adult computer education, and with Wilda, ran two businesses. Hop spent his retirement years building computers and playing with them; he was generous with his time, always helping the church, friends, and family with their computers. He enjoyed traveling abroad with Wilda (Japan, England, Australia, New Zealand), avidly watching football, growing food, tending his crepe myrtles, and doing yard work especially when it required the use of large equipment. He was a lifetime member of the Order of the Daedalian's Military Pilot Org. and served with the Oak Hill Lion's Club and enjoyed the Austin PC User's Group. In his late teens Hop met and followed Jesus Christ through the ministry of Young Life. He considered a career as a pastor but chose a different way of getting close to God as a pilot. In their 30s, he and Wilda led the Protestant Youth of the Chapel. He also helped plant Oak Hill United Methodist Church and served teaching adult Sunday School and on the board. His memorial will be held there (7815 Hwy 290 W, Austin, TX 78736) this Saturday, May 4th, at 2:00 p.m. His remains will be placed in Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Hop's family asks that donations be made to Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund at fallenheroesfund.org.
April 30, 2013
Charles "Hop" Hopingardner, Colonel, USAF (ret.) Sept 29, 1929-Mar 17, 2013 Charles came early to the party as a preterm baby who was not expected to survive, weighing in at just over 4 lbs.; he stayed late leaving in his eighth decade. He was the beloved husband of wife, Wilda, having celebrated their 60th anniversary last year. Hop has gone on before Wilda, his children Paul (Diane) Hopingardner, Catherine (Daniel) Tucek, David Hopingardner, his grandson, Alexander, his cousins, Barbara Cooper and Joan Isaacs, and his dear friends, Betty and Buddy King. He was predeceased by his parents, Otis & Louise Hopingardner, and two grandchildren, Anne Catherine and Charles Daniel Tucek. Hop was a US Air Force pilot, serving across the globe during his 29 years with assignments in Japan, Korea, the Republic of the Philippines, and Thailand. He had more than 7,500 flying hours and most enjoyed the technical challenges of flying combat missions. Hop flew many different aircraft; however, his favorite was the C-130. He commanded a C-130 and an AC-130 Gunship squadron (16 SOS) during his career. Hop was the recipient of numerous awards and medals, including the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal, and the Vietnam Service Medal with 7 campaign stars. After his 1st retirement, Hop went back to school and graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. in Computer Science from St. Edward's University. In the years after school, he taught adult computer education, and with Wilda, ran two businesses. Hop spent his retirement years building computers and playing with them; he was generous with his time, always helping the church, friends, and family with their computers. He enjoyed traveling abroad with Wilda (Japan, England, Australia, New Zealand), avidly watching football, growing food, tending his crepe myrtles, and doing yard work especially when it required the use of large equipment. He was a lifetime member of the Order of the Daedalian's Military Pilot Org. and served with the Oak Hill Lion's Club and enjoyed the Austin PC User's Group. In his late teens Hop met and followed Jesus Christ through the ministry of Young Life. He considered a career as a pastor but chose a different way of getting close to God as a pilot. In their 30s, he and Wilda led the Protestant Youth of the Chapel. He also helped plant Oak Hill United Methodist Church and served teaching adult Sunday School and on the board. His memorial will be held there (7815 Hwy 290 W, Austin, TX 78736) this Saturday, May 4th, at 2:00 p.m. His remains will be placed in Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Hop's family asks that donations be made to Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund at fallenheroesfund.org.
Austin-American Statesman
April 30, 2013
Charles "Hop" Hopingardner, Colonel, USAF (ret.) Sept 29, 1929-Mar 17, 2013 Charles came early to the party as a preterm baby who was not expected to survive, weighing in at just over 4 lbs.; he stayed late leaving in his eighth decade. He was the beloved husband of wife, Wilda, having celebrated their 60th anniversary last year. Hop has gone on before Wilda, his children Paul (Diane) Hopingardner, Catherine (Daniel) Tucek, David Hopingardner, his grandson, Alexander, his cousins, Barbara Cooper and Joan Isaacs, and his dear friends, Betty and Buddy King. He was predeceased by his parents, Otis & Louise Hopingardner, and two grandchildren, Anne Catherine and Charles Daniel Tucek. Hop was a US Air Force pilot, serving across the globe during his 29 years with assignments in Japan, Korea, the Republic of the Philippines, and Thailand. He had more than 7,500 flying hours and most enjoyed the technical challenges of flying combat missions. Hop flew many different aircraft; however, his favorite was the C-130. He commanded a C-130 and an AC-130 Gunship squadron (16 SOS) during his career. Hop was the recipient of numerous awards and medals, including the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal, and the Vietnam Service Medal with 7 campaign stars. After his 1st retirement, Hop went back to school and graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. in Computer Science from St. Edward's University. In the years after school, he taught adult computer education, and with Wilda, ran two businesses. Hop spent his retirement years building computers and playing with them; he was generous with his time, always helping the church, friends, and family with their computers. He enjoyed traveling abroad with Wilda (Japan, England, Australia, New Zealand), avidly watching football, growing food, tending his crepe myrtles, and doing yard work especially when it required the use of large equipment. He was a lifetime member of the Order of the Daedalian's Military Pilot Org. and served with the Oak Hill Lion's Club and enjoyed the Austin PC User's Group. In his late teens Hop met and followed Jesus Christ through the ministry of Young Life. He considered a career as a pastor but chose a different way of getting close to God as a pilot. In their 30s, he and Wilda led the Protestant Youth of the Chapel. He also helped plant Oak Hill United Methodist Church and served teaching adult Sunday School and on the board. His memorial will be held there (7815 Hwy 290 W, Austin, TX 78736) this Saturday, May 4th, at 2:00 p.m. His remains will be placed in Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Hop's family asks that donations be made to Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund at fallenheroesfund.org.
April 30, 2013
Charles "Hop" Hopingardner, Colonel, USAF (ret.) Sept 29, 1929-Mar 17, 2013 Charles came early to the party as a preterm baby who was not expected to survive, weighing in at just over 4 lbs.; he stayed late leaving in his eighth decade. He was the beloved husband of wife, Wilda, having celebrated their 60th anniversary last year. Hop has gone on before Wilda, his children Paul (Diane) Hopingardner, Catherine (Daniel) Tucek, David Hopingardner, his grandson, Alexander, his cousins, Barbara Cooper and Joan Isaacs, and his dear friends, Betty and Buddy King. He was predeceased by his parents, Otis & Louise Hopingardner, and two grandchildren, Anne Catherine and Charles Daniel Tucek. Hop was a US Air Force pilot, serving across the globe during his 29 years with assignments in Japan, Korea, the Republic of the Philippines, and Thailand. He had more than 7,500 flying hours and most enjoyed the technical challenges of flying combat missions. Hop flew many different aircraft; however, his favorite was the C-130. He commanded a C-130 and an AC-130 Gunship squadron (16 SOS) during his career. Hop was the recipient of numerous awards and medals, including the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal, and the Vietnam Service Medal with 7 campaign stars. After his 1st retirement, Hop went back to school and graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. in Computer Science from St. Edward's University. In the years after school, he taught adult computer education, and with Wilda, ran two businesses. Hop spent his retirement years building computers and playing with them; he was generous with his time, always helping the church, friends, and family with their computers. He enjoyed traveling abroad with Wilda (Japan, England, Australia, New Zealand), avidly watching football, growing food, tending his crepe myrtles, and doing yard work especially when it required the use of large equipment. He was a lifetime member of the Order of the Daedalian's Military Pilot Org. and served with the Oak Hill Lion's Club and enjoyed the Austin PC User's Group. In his late teens Hop met and followed Jesus Christ through the ministry of Young Life. He considered a career as a pastor but chose a different way of getting close to God as a pilot. In their 30s, he and Wilda led the Protestant Youth of the Chapel. He also helped plant Oak Hill United Methodist Church and served teaching adult Sunday School and on the board. His memorial will be held there (7815 Hwy 290 W, Austin, TX 78736) this Saturday, May 4th, at 2:00 p.m. His remains will be placed in Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Hop's family asks that donations be made to Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund at fallenheroesfund.org.
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