Frederick William Hopper

Frederick William Hopper September 16, 1921 – September 28, 2012 "Some bright morning when this life is over, I'll fly away-" On September 28, 2012, Fred boarded his final glider flight to the heavens leaving behind his beloved wife, Mary; his daughters, Tracy Tatro and Kim Dominguez (Jesse); grandchildren, Chris Tatro‚ and Shannon Tatro Ponce, and nephews, Tommy, Fred, Ricky, and Eddie Johnson and families. He also leaves behind many dear and long time friends. Fred grew up in Denver's Park Hill neighborhood, enjoying adventurous family forays into the mountains and excursions on Denver's big boxy street cars. He graduated from Denver University with degrees in Chemistry, Math, and Physics. He was interested in the Electronics Industry, from the days of crystal set receivers to the marvelous devices of today. With two other D.U. graduates he founded Rocky Mountain Research Lab, now Great Western Inorganics. He worked for Martin Marietta for many years and was a member of the team on the first mission to Mars in 1976. In 2011, he was a member of the final Western Slope Honor Flight to Washington D.C. for World War II Veterans. He will be remembered for his great love of his family. His hobbies were mathematics, photography, writing, cartooning, skiing, flying, fishing, hiking,and biking. "I'll fly away to a place where joys will never end". To honor Fred's memory donations may be made to Colorado State Veterans Nursing Horne, 851 East 5th St., Rifle, CO, 81650. Online condolences at RifleFuneralHome.com.