Allen George "Al" Hooper

Internationally acknowledged mine historian, Allen George "Al" Hooper, 95, died Friday at St. James Healthcare.

Al was born in Butte to Edward "Jack" and Phillipa (Ball) Hooper on Jan. 22, 1911. He grew up in Meaderville during the glory days of Butte's underground copper mining. He received his schooling in Butte, graduating from Butte High School. In 1937, he married Eunice Anna Meyers in Spokane, Wash. He worked as a carpenter, a hoisting engineer, a railroad locomotive fireman and a small mine owner over the years.

Although he did not begin officially working for the mines until he was 18, Al, like many other boys growing up around the Butte mines, got his "Rustling Card" by the age of 16.

Al retired from ARCO in 1982, but mining continued to be a vital part of his life. He boasted the largest individual collection of mine related photos in the state. He was an avid Butte Historian and promoter of all things related to the Mining City.

Al appeared in several films about Butte and supplied numerous photos to authors writing about Butte. In 1993, Thomas Schadt, an independent film producer, arrived in Butte. He was introduced to Al as one person who could answer his questions. Al took him around Butte and showed him where photos has been taken, introduced him to his personal photo collection and the collection at the World Museum of Mining. This exchange resulted in the filming of a documentary on Butte and a year-long, five-room display of mining photos at a museum in Erlangden, Germany. In 1994, Al, his wife Eunice, and his son and daughter-in-law went to Germany as Thomas' guests for the premier of the documentary.

Al also contributed extensively to local volunteer organizations. He was the past-president of the Butte Traffic Club, served on the Butte Archives Board, acted as curator of the World Museum of Mining, member and organizer of the Butte Historical Society, a member of the Montana Historical Society, and an Honorary Lifetime Member of the Butte-Silver Bow Public Archives Board of Directors. In 1996, the Sons and Daughters of Montana Pioneers recognized Al with an award for his outstanding contribution to the preservation of Montana history. He also received the Montana Historical Society Trustees Award for contribution to Montana history.

Al was preceded in death by his wife Eunice in 2002; brother Ed Hooper; and sister Audrey Wieder. He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Bill and Sherry Hooper of East Helena; granddaughters, Corla Rennerfeldt and Lyn Welch of East Helena; nieces, Joyce Naeher, Gayle Allen, Carol Crider, and Diane Stoner; nephew, Gary Wieder; and four great-grandchildren.

Al's remains are in Wayrynen-Richards Funeral Home, where friends may call beginning Tuesday at 5 p.m. Funeral services will be conducted at the funeral home Wednesday at 11 a.m., with interment to follow at Mount Moriah Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Butte Historical Society.

Express condolences at www.mtstandard.com/obits.