1915
Ralph
2012
Ralph Hopkins
September 2, 1915 — June 20, 2012
Ralph C. Hopkins, age 96, of Wautoma, passed away Wednesday June 20, 2012 at Wild Rose Manor.
He was born September 2, 1915 in Cumberland, the son of Ralph and Francis (Cleary) Hopkins. He married Vivian E. Neurer on Christmas Day, 1940 in Cumberland. She preceded him in death on January 2, 1985. He later married Fern Kocsis on September 28, 1988. She preceded him in death on December 28, 2003.
Ralph was one of the first young men from the city of Cumberland to attain the rank of Eagle Scout. He graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1937 with a zoology major. In 1938, he started work for the Wisconsin Conservation Department, known today as the Department of Natural Resources. He started his department career at the Poynette Game Farm where he advanced rapidly to assistant in the Game Management Division. In September of 1940, he took part in the original Deer Project at Hayward, and in 1942, another deer research program in Park Falls. After serving in World War II as a medic, he returned as project leader for the State Waterfowl Project at Horicon. His research from 1946-1951 included waterfowl habits, habitats, population census and bird banding, prior to Horicon Marsh becoming functional. In 1952, he transferred to Oshkosh as East Central Area Game Biologist. In 1959, he became Area Game Manager in Wautoma. He contributed extensively to setting up several major waterfowl management areas in Waushara and Marquette counties, including Greenwood Refuge, Eldorado Marsh, Germania Marsh and Grand River Wildlife Area. Ralph retired from the Department of Natural Resources in 1974 with over 36 years of service.
Surviving are his two sons, Ralph (Vicki) of Boulder, CO; Jeff of Wautoma; one daughter, Mary Hopkins of Edmonds, WA; one step-son Chris (Linda) Kocsis of Springfield, VA and two grandchildren Patrick Geary of Madison and Megan( Nicholas) Scheeler of Franklin.
In addition to his two wives, he was preceded in death by his three sisters, Peggy Gislason, Georgia Certain and Nancy Dimick.
A Time of Visitation will be held on Monday, June 25, 2012 from 1:00 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. in the Leikness Funeral Home, Wautoma.
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He was born September 2, 1915 in Cumberland, the son of Ralph and Francis (Cleary) Hopkins. He married Vivian E. Neurer on Christmas Day, 1940 in Cumberland. She preceded him in death on January 2, 1985. He later married Fern Kocsis on September 28, 1988. She preceded him in death on December 28, 2003.
Ralph was one of the first young men from the city of Cumberland to attain the rank of Eagle Scout. He graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1937 with a zoology major. In 1938, he started work for the Wisconsin Conservation Department, known today as the Department of Natural Resources. He started his department career at the Poynette Game Farm where he advanced rapidly to assistant in the Game Management Division. In September of 1940, he took part in the original Deer Project at Hayward, and in 1942, another deer research program in Park Falls. After serving in World War II as a medic, he returned as project leader for the State Waterfowl Project at Horicon. His research from 1946-1951 included waterfowl habits, habitats, population census and bird banding, prior to Horicon Marsh becoming functional. In 1952, he transferred to Oshkosh as East Central Area Game Biologist. In 1959, he became Area Game Manager in Wautoma. He contributed extensively to setting up several major waterfowl management areas in Waushara and Marquette counties, including Greenwood Refuge, Eldorado Marsh, Germania Marsh and Grand River Wildlife Area. Ralph retired from the Department of Natural Resources in 1974 with over 36 years of service.
Surviving are his two sons, Ralph (Vicki) of Boulder, CO; Jeff of Wautoma; one daughter, Mary Hopkins of Edmonds, WA; one step-son Chris (Linda) Kocsis of Springfield, VA and two grandchildren Patrick Geary of Madison and Megan( Nicholas) Scheeler of Franklin.
In addition to his two wives, he was preceded in death by his three sisters, Peggy Gislason, Georgia Certain and Nancy Dimick.
A Time of Visitation will be held on Monday, June 25, 2012 from 1:00 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. in the Leikness Funeral Home, Wautoma.
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