In memoriam: Robert E. Hopkins

Robert E. Hopkins, former director of the University of Rochester's Institute of Optics, passed away July 4th, 2009, at the age of 94. Hopkins, known as the "Father of Optical Engineering," was honored as an SPIE Fellow in 1978. He served on the SPIE Board of Governors from 1982 to 1984, and won the Gold Medal of the Society in 1983.

Hopkins is survived by six children and their spouses: Roger (Ruth Allen) and Carl (Kathy Harpham) of Ithaca; Nancy (Dave Merritt) of Wilmington, N.C.; Robert, Jr. (Maria Kratz) of Duxbury, Mass.; Mark (Linda Galloway) of Rochester; and Andrea (Dave Stephenson) of Madison, Conn.; and by 17 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.