Lee Charles Hopple, Ph.D., of 925 Market Street, Bloomsburg, devoted husband, father, and grandfather passed away at 9:25 a.m. on Sunday, September 26, 2010 surrounded by his loving family. He was 77 years old and in ill health for the past 1 ½ years.
He was born on Thursday, January 5, 1933 in Pottsville, the son of the late Ethel and Harry Gross. He attended Minersville schools, graduating in 1951, and went on to Kutztown State Teacher's College from 1952 to 1956, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in geography and history. He then taught at Hamburg High School until 1958, when he was awarded a graduate assistantship to Penn State University. From 1959 to 1960, he taught at Berlin Brothersvalley School in Berlin, PA, and from 1960-1961 at Springfield Township Middle School in Oreland, PA. He was awarded a Master of Science degree in geography from Penn State in 1961.
The family moved to Bloomsburg in 1961, where Lee was a professor of Geography and Earth Science at Bloomsburg State Teacher's College. He received a National Science Foundation grant to the University of Washington in Seattle in 1964, and in 1971, a Ph.D. in geography from Penn State.
In addition to teaching geography, Lee was the first Institutional Planning Director at Bloomsburg State Teacher's College from 1971 to 1981. He also was awarded a Distinguished Faculty Award for exceptional academic service in 1979 to 1980. According to the Bloomsburg University magazine published in 2000, he was listed as 1 of 100 influential people who contributed to the growth of the university.
Lee retired as faculty emeritus in 1991. He then taught classes at Luzerne County Community College and Penn State campuses in Hazleton and Schuylkill Haven. He also substituted for several years at the Bloomsburg High School.
He gave many visiting lectures, and published numerous articles in PA Folklife Magazine and various periodicals. His research was primarily on the PA Plain Dutch, and he was well known in the field. For several years, he was a board member of the Schwenkfelder Church in Palm, PA.
He was a faithful member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Bloomsburg since 1961. There he taught Sunday school, was an usher and greeter, and served on various committees.
Lee was also an active member of many professional and civic organizations. They include the American Association of Geographers, PA Council for Geography Education, Bloomsburg Chapter of Pa State College and University Professors, Kutztown University Alumni Association, Penn State Alumni Association, and the PA National Guard for eight years. Also the Nittany Lion Club and an avid football fan, the Bloomsburg University Huskies Athletic Association and an avid basketball fan. The Bloomsburg Jaycees where he was president and man of the year, Bloomsburg Little League president and coach, Bloomsburg Torch Club president, Bloomsburg Elks Club where he held several offices, Berwick Lions Club president and Lion of the year, Caldwell Consistory, Washington Lodge F&AM, and Scottish Rite Valley of Bloomsburg.
Lee and Helen traveled extensively on sabbaticals, research trips and for pleasure. They visited all the continental United States, most of Canada, east and west coasts of Mexico, and many Caribbean Islands, most especially Aruba where they were name Honorary Citizens after 30 consecutive years.
Surviving are his wife Helen, to whom he was married 52 years on June 7; a daughter Brenda Vaughn and her husband, Phillip, of Bloomsburg; a son: Charles Hopple of Hatfield; four grandchildren: Hollie, Meridith, and Peter Vaughn and Katie Hopple; a brother-in-law: William C. Schappell and family of Shoemakersville, PA. Lee's family was his life's joy and he loved spending time with all of them.
A Visitation for family and friends will be received on Thursday, September 30 from 6 to 8 p.m. from the Allen Funeral Home at 745 Market and Eighth Street in Bloomsburg.
Funeral Services will be held on Friday, October 1 at 11 a.m. from the sanctuary at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 123 W. Market Street in Bloomsburg, with his pastor, Rev. Joel L. Zeiders officiating. Graveside services will be held in Elan Memorial Park.
It is requested, by the family, that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be sent to: Columbia Montour Home Hospice, 410 Glenn Avenue, Suite 200 in Bloomsburg or St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 123 W. Market Street in Bloomsburg. For those unable to personally attend, online condolences are available at Allen-FuneralHome.com.