Dr. Stanley Duff Hopper

Dr. Stanley Duff Hopper, 81, of Palmdale,California died peacefully at home on February 5, 2010, his 59th wedding anniversary, surrounded by his family. His wonderful smile, unconditional love, keen intellect and sharp wit will be missed by all. Duff was born in Boston, Massachusetts on Halloween, 1928, to Dr. Stanley R. and Eva Helen (Bagby) Hopper. He graduated from Madison (New Jersey) High School in 1945, and attended Allegheny College. He finished his undergraduate work at Fresno State College, receiving his Bachelor of Arts in 1950. He began his graduate work at the University of Southern California, then completed his Master of Arts at Harvard in 1954. Following these studies, Duff joined the Marine Corps and attended Officer Candidates School in Quantico, Virginia, finishing top of his class in April 1955. He was commissioned and stationed at Camp Pendleton, California. After two years active duty, Duff joined the Officer Reserve Corps and remained active until 1974, attaining the rank of Major. In 1957 he became a professor of political science at California State University at Los Angeles, where he taught until he retired in 1995. During his tenure, Duff completed his dissertation and received his Ph.D from Harvard in 1971. Duff married Carol J. Steiner, the love of his life, on February 5, 1951. They raised their four children in Glendale, California. They were active members of the North Glendale United Methodist Church until their move to Palmdale in 1995, when they became active members of the Palmdale United Methodist Church. They enjoyed many trips to Yosemite, Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire, cruising, going on Elderhostel adventures and visiting family and friends. Duff loved reading, doing jigsaw puzzles, crosswords and taking daily walks. Predeceased by his parents, Duff leaves his beloved wife Carol, his daughter Lynne C. McCoy and her husband, Michael of San Jose; his daughter Leslie Keeler and her husband, Dwight of Canterbury, New Hampshire; his son Samuel D. Hopper and his wife Paula of Palmdale, California; and his son Stanley R. Hopper and his wife Roxanne of Carlsbad, California. He also leaves eleven grandchildren: Allison McCoy, Michael Kelly McCoy and his wife Ashley, Thomas, Peter and Krista Keeler, Jennifer Cifarelli and her husband Dominic, Jessica and Amanda Hopper, and Chanelle, Noelle and Hayley Hopper. Additionally he leaves two great-grandsons, Nicholas and Nathan Cifarelli. Duff also leaves his three brothers: Dr. Arthur Jeffery Hopper of Westerville, Ohio, David R. Hopper and his wife Mary of San Diego, California, and Dr. John A. Hopper and his wife Linda of Hopkinton, New Hampshire, as well as his beloved Uncle Grover and Aunt Dorothy Bagby of Portland, Oregon and many wonderful nieces, nephews and cousins. Memorial contributions towards student scholarships can be made to the Palmdale United Methodist Foundation, 39055 10th St. West, Palmdale, CA 93551, or to St. John's-on-the-Lake Chapel Association, c/o The Burdettes, 278 Bear Island, Meredith, NH 03253.