Patricia Louise Vance HoppingObituary
Patricia Louise Vance Hopping, 93, passed away in Fullerton, California on January 22, 2024, with her husband Richard by her side. Born on March 17, 1930, to parents Gladys Irene Hale Vance and Jesse Ross Vance, in Dayton, Ohio, she joined 4 older sisters.Her life was characterized by her commitment, leadership, service, hospitality, and generosity. Her noteworthy accomplishments and cherished memories leave a legacy for family and all privileged to know her.Pat attended schools in Dayton, graduating with high honors from Stivers High School. She received a teaching certificate from Bowling Green State University. In 1951, she married Richard Lee Hopping and moved to Memphis, Tennessee where he completed his Optometry degree. While Richard began his practice in Dayton, Pat began serving her community at all levels.Even with her commitments, she was a dedicated mother to Ronald, Debra, and Jerrold. She was very involved in their schools, scouting and the church.Pat devoted herself to educational advancement. She was active on the Dayton Council on World Affairs, created “A Taste Around the World” Cookbook, staged the first International Festival, and twice chaired the “World of Flair” fashion show to raise money to promote understanding among nations.She served as President of the Greater Dayton Area League of Women Voters, organizing candidate forums and voter service projects and initiated the Dayton newspapers printing of comparative candidate information.Pat was the Founding President of the Dayton View Opti-Mrs. Club, and worked with the Salvation Army to provide camper scholarships for underserved girls. She co-chaired a successful Dayton School Bond Levy.Most of all, Pat worked tirelessly to support her husband’s profession of Optometry. She served on the Board of Directors and as President of the Auxiliary to the Miami Valley Society and the Ohio Optometric Association. She spoke at The Ohio State University to spouses on their role in the community. She was a Delegate to the first Drivers Licensing Colloquium at Michigan State University. She initiated the distribution of thousands of safety pamphlets to driver education classes throughout the country. She organized vision screening programs including the Head Start program. Appointed to the Governor’s Committee on Traffic Safety she was a crusader for eye exams as a requirement prior to receiving a driver’s license. Pat received the highest national tribute, the Distinguished Appreciation Award, from the American Foundation for Vision Awareness.In 1971, Richard became President of the American Optometric Association and Pat served as first lady with charm, grace, and beauty. Their national and international travel promoted vision awareness and friendship within the vision care community. They were asked by the US State Dept. to lead a People to People delegation of Optometrists to China and Japan for an international exchange on eye care. Richard became President of the Southern California College of Optometry (SCCO) in Fullerton, California. Moving to California, Pat continued serving the profession, and the community with wisdom, organizational skills, and hospitality.For 24 years, Pat was the advisor to the Student Spouse Association, encouraging spouses to have a positive impact through involvement and leadership. Pat served as a legislative Keyperson for the California Optometric Council and enjoyed introducing young people to the legislative processes.Always gracious, Pat organized and hosted many events at their home. She welcomed college faculty, students, and staff as well as national and international leaders.As a member of the Fullerton Assistance League, she established a vision screening project in the schools. She was a hands-on volunteer in their Bargain Box thrift store. She later served as President and on a national committee. Pat wrote guidelines for the Assistance League to provide vision screenings jointly with SCCO.Appointed by the City to the Fullerton Arboretum Commission, Pat served as Commissioner for 12 years, including 3 as President. Not only has the Fullerton Arboretum become a beautiful and peaceful oasis for the community, it also provides educational programs for thousands of schoolchildren. During her Presidency, the Arboretum lost its part-time director, so Pat recruited a full-time director and raised funds for an educational facility, securing a half-million-dollar grant. The Friends of the Fullerton Arboretum bestowed the Golden Oak Award on Pat for her dedicated service.Believing in access to good health care, Pat was a Board Member and President of the Damas de Caridad to provide support to St. Jude Medical Center. Twice she was chosen as a “Headdress Mannequin” for their Bal Masque Gala. She received the St. Jude Medical President’s Commendation.At age 65, she enrolled in Pacific Christian College and earned a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Organizational Management. The students and professors loved to hear her first-hand stories from the organizations she had led.Recognizing her effective altruism, she was named Humanitarian of the Year by the North Orange County Family YMCA; she received the California State University Fullerton Community Recognition Award; and was named Woman of the Year by the Fullerton Chamber of Commerce.Pat was the first Non-Optometrist to receive the Distinguished Service Award from SCCO. Both Pat and Richard were honored upon retirement from SCCO. The Academic Building was named after Richard, and the beautiful green space in the center of campus was named The Patricia Hopping Commons. It is a fitting tribute to her dedication, her love for the students and the school, and her appreciation of the beauty of gardens. She envisioned it to be a vibrant place for fellowship and gathering.Her family cherishes her memory and will deeply miss her. She is preceded in death by her parents, sisters: Helen Hild, Mary Hockett, Alice Davis, and June Anderson, their husbands, several nieces and nephews. She is survived by husband of 72 years, Richard Lee Hopping, O.D., 3 children: Ronald Lee Hopping, O.D. (Desiree, O.D.), Debra Lynn Hopping Davis (Tom), and Jerrold Alan Hopping (Rennie), 9 grandchildren (Reed, Grant, Brett, Tricia, Julie, Lauren, Tyler, Austin, Morgan), 17 great-grandchildren, niece Sharon Fitzharris (Joe) and family, nephew Corky Davis and family.Services will be held Saturday, February 3, 2024, at McAulay-Wallace Mortuary, Fullerton, California at 2:00 pm. There will be a private internment earlier.If so inclined, gifts may be made in her memory to the Fullerton Arboretum, the Southern California College of Optometry MBKU, the Fullerton Assistance League, or a charity of your choice.
