Homer Thawley Hopkins

Research Scientist

Homer Thawley Hopkins, 95, of Sandy Hook, died August 18. He was born July 27, 1913, in Milford, Del., and lived in Beltsville, Md., for 55 years prior to moving to Connecticut with his wife, Victorine (Lafferty) Hopkins, 11 years ago.

He received a BS from the University of Delaware in 1935, a master’s degree from Cornell University, and a PhD in plant physiology from the University of Maryland in 1951.

He was a World War II veteran serving in the US Navy as the communications officer aboard the aircraft carrier USS San Jacinto in the Pacific theater for two-plus years. He worked for the Delaware State Board of Agriculture prior to his military service, and then as a chemist for the US Department of Agriculture, followed by the Food and Drug Administration. He later worked for a private research firm, Hittman Associates, in Columbia, Md., before retiring. He was a fellow in the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

 Some of his research included ion transport across living membranes, the nutrient composition of national food supplies, and the assessment of ecological and health effects of synthetic fuel technologies. In retirement, he was an assistant professor at the University of Maryland Institute of Applied Agriculture, as well as the volunteer coordinator of International Programs.

 He was active in Emmanuel Methodist Church in Beltsville, served in leadership positions with the local council of Boy Scouts of America, and coached basketball with the Boys’ Club in Beltsville. He was a lifetime member of Rotary International and a Paul Harris Fellow.

Dr Hopkins is survived by his beloved wife of 67 years; one daughter, Rebecca Smith of Sandy Hook and her husband, Dunham H. Smith; two grandchildren, Kara M. Rappaport and her husband, Derek, of Pembroke, Mass., and Daniel H. Smith and his wife, Deana, of Arlington, Mass., two great-grandchildren; and two nephews.

Funeral services were scheduled for Friday, August 22, at 11 am, at the Newtown United Methodist Church in Sandy Hook, with the Reverend Richard Yerrington, associate pastor, officiating. The family was to receive friends between 10 and 11 am at the Newtown United Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Dr Hopkins’ memory can be made to The Rotary Foundation, 14280 Collection Center Drive, Chicago IL 60693; or Trees For the Future, PO Box 7027, Silver Spring MD 20907.

 Arrangements are in care of the Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street, Newtown.

The Newtown Bee        August 22, 2008