Richard Prentice Hopley ’55 died on May 7, 2021, in South Windsor, Connecticut

(The following was published by Tribute Archive on May 7, 2021)

Richard Prentice Hopley, 88, of South Windsor, formerly of Simsbury, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 7, 2021. Richard was born on April 4, 1933, in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, one of two children of the late Samuel and Nellie Irene (Griffith) Hopley. He was raised in Fitchburg, attended local schools, and was a graduate of Fitchburg High School, Class of 1951. Richard then earned his BA in Latin and classics from Bowdoin College in Maine in 1955. He continued his education with a master’s program at Columbia University until being drafted into the US. Army. He served his country during the Korean War until his honorable discharge. Richard was a teacher at the Westminster School in Simsbury from 1958 to 1987. While at Westminster, he taught Latin, classics, English, and drama. He served as chairman of the classics department and was an athletic coach for hockey, football, and baseball. Richard was honored by Westminster by having two awards named for him: the Hopley-Jackson Athletic Award and the Hopley Excellence in Latin Award, both of which are given annually. He was an avid gardener and enjoyed playing and watching sports. Richard is survived by his sister, Jean Hopley Klein, his nephew, Stefan Hopley Klein and his wife, Laura, and two grandnieces, Marlena and Caroline Klein, all of South Windsor; his stepdaughter, Connie Buch of Albany, NY; and three step-grandchildren: Amy Sach, Ben Woodhouse, and Abigail Woodhouse. In addition to his parents, Richard was predeceased by his dear friend Shirley Buch, and two stepdaughters, Marcia Buch and Lori Woodhouse.