Colin Michael Hoepker

Colin Michael Hoepker

(December 9, 1997 - December 13, 2022)

Colin Hoepker, age 25, of Denver, Colorado, passed away peacefully in his sleep after a week-long hospital stay on Tuesday, December 13, 2022.

Colin was born in Orlando, Florida, on December 9, 1997 to Todd Hoepker and Judy Buhay, and spent his childhood in Orlando. After graduating from Bishop Moore Catholic High School, where he played trumpet in the school band, he pursued a mechanical engineering degree at the University of Colorado Boulder. During his studies, he discovered his passion for aerospace engineering, and impressed his fellow students and teachers with his love of learning and clear vision for what he wanted in life. He later transferred to Spartan College, where he graduated with honors in November 2020, earning a degree in Airframe and Powerplant Maintenance. He went on to take a position at Sierra Space, where he worked on the "Dream Chaser" space shuttle project.

From a young age, Colin had a quick and agile mind and a passion for all things mechanical. He was a train enthusiast and loved rebuilding and restoring automobiles. He also enjoyed target shooting, snowboarding, and hiking in the Flatiron Mountains near Boulder, Colorado. Colin pursued his passions and goals with clarity and a sense of purpose. He had a dry sense of humor, celebrated others' successes, and always saw the goodness in people.

Colin had a strong faith and a deep dedication to his family. He was looking forward to his impending marriage to the love of his life, Eleonora Donalisio of Bra, Italy, who he met nearly four years ago in Denver. He cherished his friends, who remember him as patient, loyal, and kind toward everyone he met.

He is survived by his father Todd of Altamonte Springs, FL; his mother Judy of Orlando; his siblings Garrett, Griffin, and Kendall Hoepker; Todd's wife Lexi and Colin's half-siblings Orly and Benjamin Hoepker; his grandfather John Buhay of Marietta, GA; his grandmother Sharon Cross of Nashville, IL; and his many uncles, aunts, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his grandmother Kay Buhay; grandfather Robert Cross; and his uncle Bob Buhay.

A funeral mass will be held at Saint James Catholic Cathedral at 2:45 pm on Tuesday, January 10, at 215 N. Orange Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801. A reception will follow with details provided at the cathedral. Free parking is available at the MAA Robinson Parking Garage at 310 N. Orange Avenue. Only park on the higher levels where the spots are designated for St. James. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Colin's honor to the National Psoriasis Foundation for psoriatic arthritis research.