Robert W. Hopper

Robert Hopper, a Lab materials scientist, died Nov. 11.

Born in 1941, Hopper received his Ph.D. from M.I.T. in 1971, and joined the Lab in 1976 as a metallurgist in the Chemistry and Materials Science (CMS) Directorate. His extensive experience encompassed a broad range of material types and subject matters, and included experimental and theoretical materials science, materials production and project management.

He joined the Office of Classification and Export Control (OCEC) in April 2000 as a classification adviser with the primary responsibility of supporting CMS. He retired from the Lab in 2007 and remained a participating guest with the OCEC until 2010.

During his time at OCEC, he assisted in writing the new Department of Energy Classification Guide for Chemical and Biological Research, and he also was a major contributor to classification guidance for weapons materials.

During his tenure at the Lab, he authored or co-authored more than sixty journal articles and received three patents.

He is remembered for his communication skills and training efforts that enhanced his liaison activities with DOE and the technical staff of CMS.

Hopper had society memberships in the American Ceramic Society (Glass and Optical Materials Division); the American Physical Society (Division of Materials Physics, Division of Fluid Dynamics) (Fellow); ASM International (previously American Society for Materials); the Materials Research Society and the National Classification Management Society.

He is survived by his wife Marilyn (Lynne).

A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m., Dec. 1, at St. Isidore Catholic Church, 440 La Gonda Way, Danville, followed by burial at the Queen of Heaven Cemetery, 1965 Reliez Valley Road, Lafayette.  A get-together will occur afterward at Esin Restaurant in Danville, 750 Camino Ramon, Danville (located at I-680 and Sycamore Valley Road).