Today, we celebrate the life of Brother Bob (Robert Dale) Hopkins. He pedaled his way to meet Jesus on September 5, 2024, at the age of 72.
Dad never met a stranger. He could (and did) talk to almost every person he met, much to the chagrin of us as kids. He was a man of many shoes and even more stories. One of his favorite phrases was, "Let me tell you a story."
He loved to tell people the 'preacher gene' (one that enables you to talk to everyone and tell terrific stories) came naturally through several generations of preachers. He even liked to retell the story of a Civil War, carpet-bagging ancestor preaching the Gospel while standing on the carcass of a dead horse (he had to get higher so he'd be able to be seen and heard!).
Dad loved the open road—mostly on bicycles. Every trip started with him singing Willie Nelson's "On the Road Again," which we find ourselves singing on our trips, too. He was an avid cyclist known for daring bike rides from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean. Dad's idea of a fun day was a 100-mile bike ride, which he called a "light warm-up."
He had a heart as big as his collection of tennis shoes—and that's saying something! Dad's extensive tennis shoe collection was the stuff of legends. With a pair for every occasion (and some he wouldn't wear if it was raining!), he would often be seen sporting bright neon sneakers that could be spotted from miles away. Now a mini-museum, his closet features shoes in every rainbow color and then some. It's rumored that Nike and Adidas held a joint vigil in his honor.
He had a love of life, a contagious laugh, and stories that often included cycling metaphors. He's left behind a trail of smiles and laughs in the hearts of his family and friends. Despite his intense devotion to cycling, Dad never missed an opportunity to share Jesus with those in his path. He believed every bike ride was a chance to commune with God, marvel at the beauty of creation, and pray—for others, but often for stronger legs and fewer headwinds, too.
When Dad pedaled into Glory to meet Jesus, he left behind his extremely patient and loving wife, Linda, who often joked that he loved his bikes almost as much as her. His daughter, Chandalee (Keith) Chrisman and two sons, Chad and Cameron Hopkins, will forever remember the man who taught them that you could never have too many pairs of shoes or tell too many stories. His four grandkids were the light of his life. Maddie (Julian) Eppard, Tucker Chrisman, Caleb Hopkins, and Ashleigh Rogers, who affectionately called him Pappy, will miss the endless stories of his adventures and his knack for always having a joke to tell or a prank to pull. His presence always brought joy and laughter, and his absence leaves a void that can never be filled.
In his final ride, surrounded by family and more sneakers than a warehouse could hold, Dad pedaled into the presence of Jesus with a smile on his face and a sermon in his heart. As he joins the heavenly choir, we know he's already regaling the angels with tales of earthly adventures and the time he nearly outran a bear on his bicycle (or so he claimed).
Dad's legacy will live on through the many lives he touched, the cycling routes he charted, the jokes he told, and the countless pairs of tennis shoes that now stand as a testament to his quirky and colorful spirit. His influence will continue to inspire and guide us, reminding us to live life to the fullest and always be ready with a good story and a pair of bright sneakers.
Instead of flowers, the family requests donations to Bob's favorite charity, "Sneakers for Seniors," ensuring that no senior adult ever has to ride in plain old shoes. (Just kidding! Pretty sure there isn't a charity for older adults and neon tennis shoes.) In all seriousness, if you want to make a donation, Dad was a Gideon and wanted donations made to Gideons International and the mission of sharing Jesus' love.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, Oct. 5, at Stuart Heights Baptist Church, Chattanooga Campus (3208 Hixson Pike, Chattanooga, TN) at 1:30 p.m.. The family would love to celebrate and remember Dad with you from 11 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.. Your presence would mean a lot to us as we honor and cherish the life of our beloved Husband and Dad. We encourage you to wear your favorite tennis shoes and bring your favorite stories!