George William Hoppe

Lt. Col. George William Hoppe, USAF (Retired), 88, died at home on January 5, 2012. He was born February 24, 1923 in Newark, New Jersey, and was a highly-decorated reconnaissance pilot and veteran of three wars. During his career, he piloted more than 40 aircraft types and was rated a senior command pilot. He attended Stevens Institute of Technology, in New Jersey, and later graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park. In World War II, George served with the U.S. Twelfth Air Force in North Africa and Southern Europe and flew more than 50 reconnaissance missions in the P-38. He considered the P-38 to be the most beautiful plane of WWII, and it remained his all-time favorite. The license plate on his favorite car, his green 1969 VW Beetle, is P-38H. He flew reconnaissance missions in Korea and also flew in the Vietnam War. In the early 1960s, he worked for the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon and was closely involved in the Cuban Missile Crisis. His medals and decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal with two silver and two bronze oak leaf clusters, the Joint Chiefs of Staff badge, and numerous campaign and service medals. George retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1969 and spent most of the remainder of his career working civil service for the National Guard Bureau in Arlington, Virginia, and at the Pentagon. Upon his retirement in 1985 he was presented the Eagle Award, the highest award given to a civilian by the National Guard of the United States. He and his wife, the former Marion Cannon, were happily married more than 58 years. Nothing was more important to George than his wife and his family. He and Marion moved to Melbourne from McLean, Virginia, in 1985. They very much enjoyed their many opportunities to travel together throughout the world, as well as their time spent with friends. Until his later years, he volunteered his time at Patrick AFB, the Space Coast Science Museum, and throughout the community. Friends and family will always remember his quick wit, his warm smile, and his humility. A few years ago, when one of his sons asked him what he had learned in life that he would like to pass on, his sole answer was, "Be kind to others. Be nice." And he was. Anyone who ever met or knew George will attest to this. He was a true gentleman, a loving husband, and a caring father. He will be greatly missed but dearly remembered. He is survived by his wife, Marion; his children: Peter Hoppe (Rita) of Miami, FL; Joan Snider (Charles) of Johnstown, PA; Bruce Hoppe (Jana) of Satellite Beach, FL; and Steven Hoppe of Melbourne, FL; nine grandchildren: Scott, Shawn, Sarah, Julia, Catherine, Michelle, Kyle, Kristin, and Jared; and two great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held Tuesday, January 10 at 9:30 a.m. at Beach Funeral Home, 4999 N. Wickham Road, Melbourne. Interment, with military honors, will be at the Florida National Cemetery, in Bushnell. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make expressions of sympathy might consider sending a donation to The Haven for Children, PO Box 327, Melbourne, FL 32902-0327 (www.thehavenforchildren.com).