Religious served his community with a talent for ‘temporalities’
Society of Mary Brother Robert Hoppe, who served for 20 years in administrative positions for his Marianist community in Hawaii, died April 11 in Cupertino, California. He was 78 and a religious brother for 58 years.
Father Patrick McDaid remembered his fellow Marianist as a person “dedicated to the welfare of the students and faculty of Saint Louis School and Chaminade University.”
“He was a conscientious steward of the infrastructure of the Kalaepohaku property of the Marianist Center of Hawaii,” he said. “Brother Bob had an amazing personality and was a beloved brother to live with in community.”
Brother Robert “Bob” began his ministry as a teacher but soon discovered that his talents and practical personality would be more beneficial to the Marianists on the business side of ministry. He went on to serve as treasurer of several Marianist communities and as provincial assistant for temporalities. His business mind was a gift. His deep Marianist spirituality also made him a wonderful homilist and a daily example of the Marianist charism.
Robert G. Hoppe was born in San Francisco on June 7, 1940, one of two children of Gerhard and Myrtle (Hoffman) Hoppe. He was introduced to the Marianists at Archbishop Riordan High School in San Francisco. At 17, he transferred Chaminade College Preparatory in Los Angeles, where he entered the Marianist postulate.
In August of 1959, he began his Marianist novitiate in Santa Cruz, California, and professed first vows on Aug. 15, 1960. He continued his studies at Chaminade College of Honolulu, earning a bachelor’s degree in history in 1964. Assigned to teach at his alma mater, Riordan High School, he soon discovered his interest in business. He was assigned as business manager for Junipero Serra High School in Gardena, California, from 1966 to 1970. He professed perpetual vows in August of 1968.
From 1973 to 1975, he was assigned as comptroller at Saint Louis School in Honolulu. Having honed his financial skills, the Marianist’s Pacific Province made him its assistant provincial of temporalities until 1990 and then its chief financial officer for the next 12 years.
In 2002, Brother Hoppe was named vice president of the Marianist Center of Hawaii. He was also a member of the board of regents for Chaminade University of Honolulu and the board of trustees for Saint Louis School. Brother Hoppe retired to the Cupertino Marianist Community in Cupertino in 2018.
Marianist Brother Dennis Schmitz recalls Brother Hoppe as a supportive “boss.”
“His responsibilities tended to be directed toward the infrastructure of the Chaminade University/Saint Louis School campus, whereas my role was more with spiritual outreach to the broader church and community,” Brother Schmitz said. “He was a tremendous support for me and he allowed me to spread my wings.”
Marianist Brother John Campbell said Brother Hoppe was a “very good friend.”
“I was blessed to be with him while I was on retreat in Cupertino. I recall his homilies. They were prepared well and they were very practical,” Brother Campbell said.
“He had a very good spiritual outlook, also very practical. I will miss him. I thank God I was able to tell him that I love him as a brother and friend.”
