Craig Hope

1924 - 2015

Craig Russell Hope

1924-2015

Craig Russell Hope, M.D. died peacefully in the care of his daughters, Ellen and Hilary, on March 2, 2015, in Marin County, California. Dr. Hope was 90 years of age.

Craig was born in Paris, France in 1924 while his father, Stanley C. Hope, worked for Esso Oil. He spent the first two years of his life in Paris before moving back to Massachusetts. He attended Deerfield Academy, Choate, Princeton University and Cornell Medical School. His father later became president of Esso Standard Oil in 1949.

Craig led a life of adventure shaped by world events. In 1935, when he was eleven, his mother Dorothy and sister June traveled extensively throughout Europe. In Rome they heard Mussolini speak at the Piazza Venezia. They spent three months skiing in Kitzbuhel, Austria and learned the new Arlberg skiing technique. His parents had a passion for skiing that they learned in Switzerland in the 20's. The family skied in Northern Massachusetts, Franconia, Peckett's on Sugar Hill, New Hampshire, Stowe Vermont and Mont Tremblant, Canada.

Dr. Hope served with the U.S. Air Force and was stationed at Furstenfeldbruck Base in Germany in 1949. He formed the Air Force Ski Team and competed against the U.S. Army ski team.

Dr. Hope spent a year at the Naval Medical Center in San Diego. He did his postgraduate work in orthopedic surgery at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal. He then received orders to join the Third Marine Division as a medical officer and went to Nara, Japan. He was there for eight months as the Korean War ended.

After the war, Dr. Hope continued his orthopedic training at San Francisco VA Medical Center and University of California in San Francisco. During his life, he practiced medicine in both Marin County and Los Angeles, including an association with Dr. Larry Bosley. After retiring from his full time medical practice, Dr Hope was highly respected for his professional integrity in the field of injured worker evaluations.

Dr Hope was an avid sportsman who enjoyed hunting, tennis and sailing. He grew up sailing in Old Saybrook and Sachems Head. He loved the outdoors, nature, wildlife and all of the family pets.

In 1958, he met and then married, three weeks after their first date, Turid Elster-Jordan. He and Terry had two daughters, Ellen and Hilary, who they adored. They divorced in 1968 and remarried in 1998. They were the best of friends.


Craig was the kindest, most gallant, handsome and gentle man. In passing, he now joins the love of his life Terry, who passed only five months ago.

He is survived by his daughter Ellen Rosenberg, son-in-law Douglas C. Rosenberg and grandchildren Julia and Lauren Rosenberg of Kentfield; and his daughter Hilary Davis, son in law Joseph Daniel Davis and grandchildren Daniel, Jordan and Claire Davis of Los Angeles; and his niece Hope Kingsley of London; and his nephew Dan Kingsley of San Francisco, with his wife Mimi and their children, Danielle, Tyler and Blaire. He is also survived by his beloved cousin, Nancy Corinne Dyer of New York.

The family extends their appreciation to the staff at Aldersly in San Rafael for their service and dedication to his care.

The family is planning a private memorial service at a later date.