LAKELAND, Florida — Robert E. Hoppe, 91, died peacefully, Saturday, February 24, 2024 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in Lakeland, Florida.

Born in Kingfield, Maine, May 21, 1932, he was the son of Wheaton and Ethel Holloway Hoppe. He grew up in Jay, Maine and graduated from Jay High School in 1952.

Robert was in the US Marine Corp from 1952 - 1956. He trained at Camp Lejune in North Carolina before going to Korea. After his service, he returned to Maine and settled in Rockport.

He worked at Kalloch Fuel Service, delivering oil, at the Rockport Police Department and at Graffam Bros, trucking lobsters to Canada, Boston and Long Island. He was on the Rockport Volunteer Fire Department, and served on the Rockport Recreational Committee for five years. After retirement he worked for the Town of Rockport, taking care of the Recreation Park on West Street. He also ran a hot dog stand during ball games held there.

Bob was always up for anything fun, his passion was riding motorcycles but at 85 he did his first zip line. He was the oldest zip liner they had ever had.

He spent summers in Rockport and winters in Lakeland, Florida. He moved to Florida permanently in 2020 where he spent the rest of his life bowling on a local league, playing cards, exercising in the pool, reading, socializing with the many friends he had there and watching his infamous “cowboy shows” on Grit.

Predeceased by the mother of his children, Gail Grant Hoppe, and also his wife Charlotte in 2005; Robert is survived by daughter Bobbi Start and Dana of Florida and Maine; grandson Tobias (Toby) Lawry and his wife Christine; and great-granddaughter Helena, of Dana Point, California; a daughter, Penny Hoppe of Searsport, Maine; his granddaughter Heather McAtee and her husband Wayne of Lincolnville, Maine; his great- grandchildren, Caleb, Carson, Owen; and great-great-granddaughter Audree; granddaughter Sara of Searsport, Maine, and grandchildren, Natasha, Madison, and great-great-grandson Carter; daughter Kelly Benson and her
husband Donald of Lincolnville, Maine; grandson Joshua Benson and wife Kirsty of Pepperell Massachusetts, great-grandchildren, Sean and Emma; his granddaughter Jammi and her husband Justin Cartier of Bangor, Maine and great-grandchildren, Brandon and wife Bri, Brooke-Lynn and Benjamin; son Michael Hoppe and his wife Lori of Hope, Maine and Rotonda West, Florida; grandchildren Dani Hoppe and Tyler Hoppe of Hope, Maine.

Private Services will be held in the Spring. Because Bob loved animals, those who wish, may make memorial donations to a local animal shelter of your choice.

To share a memory or condolence with the Hoppe family, please visit their Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland.