Talcott (Tad) Hopkins

TAD E. HOPKINS World War II Veteran IDAHO FALLS, ID -- Talcott (Tad) Erbe Hopkins, longtime Idaho Falls resident, died of natural causes March 17, 2007. Tad was born March 26, 1926, and would have soon celebrated his 81st birthday. He was a very proud American; devoted to his country and it's traditions; and he lived his life committed to strong, unyielding principles. Tad was born in Mesa, Arizona, to Talcott Thompson and Zoe Erbe Hopkins. He was the eldest of three boys. He and his younger brothers, Henry Hopkins and C. Tim Hopkins, spent most of their childhood in Idaho Falls, as well as St. Anthony with their grandparents, developing their love for this place and the great outdoors. Tad was an avid Boy Scout for many years and graduated from Idaho Falls High School where he held the position of student body president. In 1944, upon graduation from high school, Tad entered the U. S. Merchant Marine Service where he first attended radio school in Boston Harbor, then served in the Pacific during World War II and continued to serve until 1947. Upon completing his service, Tad entered Stanford University, located in Palo Alto, California, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Mining Engineering in 1951. Tad met the love of his life, Jean Baker, where they were married in the Stanford Chapel June 25, 1950. Tad and Jean left college behind to take on their first adventure as a married couple by moving to Cerro de Pasco, Peru, high in the Andes Mountains. Tad worked as a mining engineer for two years there. Their daughter, Susan, was born in Lima, Peru. Tad's next professional position took the family to Grand Junction, Colorado, where he worked in the uranium business. Tad and Jean's second and third children, Nancy and Tim T., were born in Grand Junction, CO. One of Tad's great loves there was rock collecting and prospecting. Next, Tad took his family to New Poricdence, NJ, where he worked in lower Manhattan, NY, for the AEC/Department of Energy as an engineer. Tad's final career move was back to his childhood home of Idaho Falls in 1963 where he continued to work for the AEC/DOE until he retired in 1983. Tad stated many times how much he loved to live in Idaho Falls and it was truly where his heart was. A cabin near Mack's Inn, one of Tad's beloved places and a perpetual project, kept him busy many years following his retirement. There he also enjoyed another favorite pasttime--fishing. Tad most enjoyed fishing and annual duck and pheasant hunting outings each year with his brothers, nephews, and friends. A collector at heart, Tad had acquired just about everything: rocks, stampsk, coins, model railroad trains, mechanical liquor signs, you name it.--- he collected it and many of those collections will be enjoyed by others for a long time to come. One of his greatest gifts was that of master storyteller. He could weave a tale with intricate details and humor like no other. Many are still wondering if there really was a 20-pound trout -- the big one that got away -- on the Henry's Fork of the Snake River. Tales from his youth nearly came to life, painting a picture of a very adventurous, often mischievous, young man who enjoyed having a good time. Most who knew him well would describe Tad as a colorful character who was notorious for his funny wit; one whose zest for fun stayed with him throughout his life. One of his greatest gifts was that of master storyteller. He could weave a tale with intricate details and humor like no other. Many are still wondering if there really was a 20-pound trout--the big one that got away--on the Henry's Fork of the Snake River. Tales from his youth nearly came to life, painting a picture of a very adventurous, often mischievous, young man who enjoyed having a good time. Most who knew him well would describe Tad as a colorful character who was notorious for his funny wit; one whose zest for fun stayed with him throughout his life. As a devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend, Tad will truly be missed by all those whose lives he touched. He is survived by his wife of nearly 57 years, Jean; daughters, Susan Castelin of Gig Harbor, WA, and Nancy Reed of Palmer Lake, CO; son, Tim Hopkins of Highland Ranch, CO; brothers, Henry Hopkins of Westwood, CA and Tim Hopkins of Idaho Falls; 9 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews and families, and friends. He was particularly close to nephews, Chris Hopkins of Miles City, MT, and John Hopkins of Bozeman, MT. A private memorial service will be held at Fairwinds Retirement Center, 3310 Valenia Drive in Idaho Falls, Thursday, March 22, 2007, at 6:30 p.m. The family will gather in the summer to celebrate Tad's life at one of his favorite places in Island Park. ---------------------------------------------------------